Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia convolvuloides is an annual to perennial plant with one to several, erect, branched stems; it can grow 15 - 50 cm tall; the branches drooping at the tips, often reddish[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and snake repellent.

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

Tropical Africa - drier areas from Mauritania and Senegal to Sudan, also in Malawi.

Habitat

Savannah, waste places and along roadsides, sometimes as a weed in crops, usually on sandy soil[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.35 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is sometimes found as a weed of cultivated crops within its native range[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the plant is taken to treat urethritis and sexually transmitted diseases, while in Côte d’Ivoire an infusion is applied as eye drops to treat eye problems[].
An infusion of the whole plant is taken orally or as an enema for its laxative effects[]. An extract of the plant is taken to treat coughs, a sore throat, asthma and bronchitis[].

The crushed leaves, combined with palm oil, are applied to dry up the rashes associated with measles, chickenpox and formerly smallpox. The crushed leaves are taken to treat diarrhoea as they have an astringent effect, and an infusion of the dried leaves is taken against dysentery[, ].
The pulp of fresh leaves, combined with those of Citrullus colocynthis, and sometimes with other plants, is applied to the breasts or given in infusion to increase milk production and quality of the milk.

The latex has an astringent effect and is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea[]. It is said in a number of reports to be narcotic[, ].
The vapour of latex in hot water is inhaled to treat coughs and bronchitis.[]. The latex is considered an antidote for scorpion stings[].

The aerial parts have an astringent effect due to the presence of tannins[].

Other Uses

In Nigeria scorpion stings and snakebites are said to be prevented if the plant is chewed and swallowed, and a mixture of the plant, saliva and the sap of Calotropis procera is rubbed on the hands[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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