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Useful Tropical Plants

Euphorbia atoto

G.Forst.

Euphorbiaceae


There is some confusion over the correct name of this species. Euphorbia atoto is treated by some (such as the Flora of China) as a species that ranges through much of tropical Asia to New Guinea, Australia and the Pacific. However, some other treatments (such as the online World Checklist of Selected Plant Families) give it a much narrower range, restricting it to a few islands in the southern Pacific. The medicinal uses mentioned here are for plants growing in China and New Caledonia - if it turns out that the restricted range is correct then these uses will need to be transferred to the appropriate species[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Anisophyllum atoto (G.Forst.) Klotzsch & Garcke

Chamaesyce atoto (G.Forst.) Croizat

Euphorbia taitensis Boiss.

Common Name:

Euphorbia atoto
Flowering plant
Photograph by: Ian Sutton
Creative Commons License

General Information

Euphorbia atoto is a many-branched, evergreen perennial plant with prostrate to ascending stems that become more or less woody, at least at the base. It usually grows from 20 - 40cm tall, exceptionally to 60cm[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Australia to the Pacific

Habitat

Sandy places near the coast[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. Sandy beaches and coral reefs[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusVulnerable
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height0.35 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The latex is used as an emmenagogue and an abortifacient[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

In New Caledonia, seawater in which the plant has been soaked and trampled is often used as a purgative[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Euphorbia%20atoto>

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