Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia antso is a deciduous, succulent, strongly branched shrub or small tree; it can grow up to 15 metres tall. All parts of the plant contain a copious latex[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and for starting fires. It is sold on the internet as it has some ornamental value[].
The plant is relatively common in its area of distribution, although it is becoming less common in the coastal region due to habitat destruction by fire and constant clearing for charcoal burning. There are no signs of genetic erosion[]. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

The latex is toxic and caustic. It is used to poison rodents[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - southwestern Madagascar,

Habitat

Deciduous forest and thickets, from sea-level up to 500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier, lowland areas in the tropics and subtropics[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The latex is applied to the skin to treat scabies[].

Other Uses

The dried stem has been used to start fire by friction[].

The wood is soft and perishable[].

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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