Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia cooperi is a spiny, succulent, evergreen shrub growing up to 2 metres tall, or more commonly it becomes a candelabriform small tree up to 6 metres or occasionally even to 12 metres tall with branches curved upwards, simple or sometimes branched near the apex, forming a flat-topped crown. The bole is stout and cylindrical, unbranched for up to 3 metres and scarred from fallen branches; the branches are 5 - 20cm in diameter, deeply constricted at irregular intervals into oblong segments 10 - 50cm long. There is an abundant latex in all parts of the plant[, , ]. The leafless stems are cactus-like[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and for fencing. It is planted as an ornamental in succulent gardens or rock gardens in South Africa and the United States[].

Known Hazards

The latex is said to be one of the most poisonous of the Euphorbia spp., causing intense skin irritations and producing a burning sensation in the throat when standing next to bleeding plants. The latex may cause blindness if it comes into the eyes. It has a pungent, acrid smell[].
The flowers produce much nectar, but the honey, known as ‘noors honey’, causes a burning sensation in the mouth, which is intensified by drinking water[].
The latex is used as a fish poison[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, S. Africa.

Habitat

Wooded grassland and on rocky hillsides, usually forming colonies, at elevations from 200 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. The plant is intolerant of frost[].
An easy plant to cultivate[]. It does not require much water at all and naturally occurs in the mixed bushveld biome[]. It prefers sandy, loamy to clay soils and will grow in grassland as well as on granite koppies or ridges that occur in these regions. A sunny spot on the warm sunny side of the garden would be ideal for these water-wise plants[]
The ripe fruits burst open, flinging seeds several metres away[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The latex is used medicinally, even though it is said to be one of the most poisonous of the Euphorbia spp., causing intense skin irritations; producing a burning sensation in the throat when standing next to bleeding plants; and causing blindness if it comes into the eyes[].
The latex is boiled until black and then dried and powdered; the resulting powder is applied topically to infected wounds[].
Several diesters and triesters of 16-hydroxy-12-desoxyphorbol were isolated from the latex. The diterpene esters showed more or less pronounced irritation on mice ears, as well as tumour-promoting activity in vitro[].

A root decoction, combined with a root decoction of Euphorbia ingens, is applied as a dressing to treat paralysis[].

Other Uses

The plant is sometimes used to make fence poles[].

Propagation

Seed - easy[].
Cuttings root easily. The cuttings must be dried for a day or two before planting in order to prevent them rotting. Great care must be taken when collecting cuttings, to prevent the poisonous latex from coming into contact with skin or eyes[].

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