Euphorbia didiereoides
Denis ex Leandri
Euphorbiaceae
Common Name:
Prickly stem
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Cultivated plant in the Palmengarten, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Photograph by: Daderot
Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
Female flowers
Photograph by: Daderot
Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
Male flowers
Photograph by: H. Zell
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
General Information
Euphorbia didiereoides is a very spiny, succulent perennial plant or shrub with many erect stems developing from the base. The plant can grow up to 2.5 metres tall with stems up to 15cm in diameter near the base, tapering to around 3cm at their apex, with many short branches 1 - 2cm long[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
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- http://www.prota.org
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- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is cultivated as an ornamental pot plant[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
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- Author
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- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Euphorbia didiereoides has a limited distribution area, and numbers are diminishing due to habitat degradation, fires and collection for horticultural trade. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
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- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
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- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
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Known Hazards
Although we have seen no specific information for this plant, the latex in most, if not all Euphorbias is caustic and toxic - skin contact often causing irritation and blistering; contact with the eyes causing temporary or even permanent blindness; whilst ingestion can cause purging or more severe problems[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Botanical References
Range
Africa - southern Madagascar.
Habitat
Rock outcrops scattered in grassland and in the plateau areas, at elevations from sea-level up to 700 metres[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Endangered |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 2.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of the lowland, drier tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 700 metres[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
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- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
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- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
A copious latex is produced in all parts of the plant[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
A leaf decoction is taken to treat coughs in children, urogenital infections, haematuria and prostatic hypertrophy[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
Stem cuttings. They should be at least 20cm long and, after being taken they should be allowed to lie in a shaded place for at least a week prior to planting in order to develop a callus on the cut end[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
