Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia gossypina is an unarmed, much-branched, succulent, evergreen shrub with a sprawling habit; it can grow up to 1.5 metres tall, sometimes scrambling into surrounding vegetation and then able to grow up to 4 metres high[]. The spreading branches are around 1cm thick, with dark brown leaf-scares becoming more or less prominent on older branches[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

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[].

Botanical References

Range

East tropical Africa - ?Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.

Habitat

Acacia-Commiphora bushland; lightly wooded grassland; at elevations from 15 - 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,900 metres. It is not tolerant of frosts[].
Succeeds in full sun to ight shade[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the pounded stems is drunk to treat swollen legs and general body pain[].

The latex is applied as eye drops to treat conjunctivitis, as ear drops to treat oral infections and also to warts that have first been cut open[]. The diluted latex of small twigs is taken to treat laryngitis[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Stem cuttings. 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[].

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