The generic name of this species was changed to Euphorbia in 2007 (Bruyns, Euphorbia World 3:6 2007). The name change has been accepted in the 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families', although the old name of Monadenium letouzeyanum was still being used in the African Plant Database[] in August 2013[].

Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia letouzeyana is a low-growing, stemless, herbaceous perennial plant. It produces a crown of small leaves from an underground tuber and, when leafless, a flowering stem around 5cm long[, ].
The edible root is harvested from the wild for local 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[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - southern DR Congo, southwest Tanzania, northern Zambia.

Habitat

Open forest with Brachystegia utilis, B. boehmii, Julbernardia paniculata; open forest with Julbernardia globiflora, Marquesia macroura; at elevations from 1,208 - 1,350 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.05 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Root[]. The root can be 16 - 55mm tall, it is around 18 - 42mm in diameter at the top and tapers to a point[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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