Euphorbia espinosa
Pax
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia gynophora Pax
Euphorbia nebrownii Merr.
Euphorbia nodosa N.E.Br.
Common Name:
Leaves
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Leaves
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Flowering stem
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Close-up of the flower
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
General Information
Euphorbia espinosa is a deciduous shrub, sometimes erect but more often scandent with stems 2 - 4 metres long[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
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[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Botanical References
Range
Tropical Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia.
Habitat
Acacia-Commiphora bushland; mopane, miombo and other deciduous woodlands; at elevations from 300 - 1,500 metres[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Shrub |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of drier areas in the tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It is not tolerant of frosts[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
Prefers a position in light shade[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
Latex in milk, porridge or egg is taken as an emetic in case of suspected poisoning or indigestion[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
