Euphorbia heterochroma
Pax
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia impervia A.Berger
Euphorbia mitis Pax
Euphorbia stuhlmannii Schweinf. ex Volkens
Common Name:
Cultivated plant in the Botanical Garden 'Jardin de Cactus' in Guatiza, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Cultivated plant in the Botanical Garden 'Jardin de Cactus' in Guatiza, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Young stem
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
General Information
Euphorbia heterochroma is a spiny, evergreen, succulent shrub with erect or decumbent branches that root where they touch the ground. It can grow up to 2 metres tall, and is sparingly rebranched above[
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.
].
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
East tropical Africa - Kenya, northeast Tanzania.
Habitat
Sandy stony soils with Acacia-Commiphora bushland; rock outcrops with deciduous bushland; at elevations from 450 - 1,300 metres[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
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- Author
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- 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 | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 1.50 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of drier areas in the tropics, where it can be found at elevations from 450 - 1,300 metres. The plant is intolerant of frost[
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
A latex infusion or root decoction is taken to treat venereal diseases[
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.
]. An infusion of the latex or of the roasted stems is taken to treat fever, diarrhoea, cough, tuberculosis and pneumonia[
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.
].
The latex, mixed with clay, is applied to the skin or in incisions to treat syphilis[
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.
]. It is applied to incisions to treat pyomyositis[
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.
]. The latex is used as nose drops to treat migraine and insanity[
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.
].
A leaf decoction is taken to treat stomach-ache[
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 -
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[
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.
].
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.
