Common Name: Malayan Spurge Tree

General Information

Euphorbia antiquorum is a spiny, succulent shrub or small tree growing up to 6 - 9 metres tall, with ascending, tufted branches[].
The plant is harvested from the wild and from cultivated plants for local medicinal use. The plant is also cultivated, especially in tropical Asia, where it is planted as an ornamental and barrier hedge[, ]. It is also grown as an indoor plant in temperate areas[].

Known Hazards

The whole plant is poisonous[]. The latex is used as fish-poison[].
In almost all cases, the latex found in Euphorbia species is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially when it comes into contact with eyes or open cuts[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Found in dry, open, evergreen forest, in scrubby vegetation, on rocky limestone hills and on sandy soils, at elevations up to 800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Young shoots that have been properly boiled to detoxify them, soaked in water and covered with sugar, have been eaten as sweetmeats[, , ].

Medicinal

The poisonous milky latex or other plant parts (e.g. root bark) are taken as a drastic purgative and induce vomiting[].
The latex is applied externally to swellings, boils, warts and other skin affections[]. When mixed with oil, it is used as a rubefacient embrocation for rheumatism[]. It may also be used to treat toothache, earache and asthma[].

The dried heartwood is an antipyretic[]. It is used in the treatment of dysentery, nervine diseases and dropsy[]. It is also used in applications to treat toothache[].

A saline extract of the stem shows antibiotic activity[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Grown as an ornamental hedge and as a barrier[].
The plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to exclude livestock and other animals; mark out land boundaries; whilst also providing a range of medicinal and other uses[].

Other Uses

The plant shows insecticidal properties[].

The wood is used for making bowls[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings root easily. They need to be stored in light shade for a few days to dry before being planted, or else they will rot. It is best to plant the cuttings when the rain is about to stop, in a well-drained soil[].

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