Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia lugardiae is a succulent, evergreen shrub, branching from the base and producing stems up to 60cm tall. The cylindrical stems can be erect or slightly decumbent, up to 3 cm in diameter[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is often grown as an ornamental pot plant[].

Known Hazards

The latex is a violent purgative, and can cause vomiting and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, cirrhosis of the liver and sometimes death[].

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, S. Africa.

Habitat

Granite outcrops, in sandy soil among rocks in wooded grassland and open Brachystegia woodland, and also in shade on termite mounds, often in colonies, at 100 - 1,100 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

As a pot plant Euphorbia lugardiae needs full sun to light shade, and a well-drained soil mix consisting of 2 parts sand to 1 part loam and 1 part peat moss. After watering the plants should be allowed to dry thoroughly before watering again. A single fertilizer application is recommended during the growing season. Too much water and fertilizer will cause root rot. During the cold season, only enough water should be given to keep the leaves from shrivelling and dropping off[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The latex is a violent purgative, and can cause vomiting and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, cirrhosis of the liver and sometimes death. Even so, it is sometimes taken internally, though is more lilkely to be used externally. Even this can cause problems - the latex is very acid, with a pH of as low as 2, and can cause dermatitis[].
The latex has shown significant insecticidal activity in vitro[].

A few drops of stem or root latex are mixed in porridge or milk and taken to treat ascites, stomach-ache, chest pain, headache, measles, pneumonia and asthma; the latex is also taken as an abortifacient and to expel worms in dogs[]. Taken together with the sap of Portulaca quadrifida, it has been applied as a remedy for gonorrhoea[].

The plant ash is rubbed into scarifications to treat rheumatic pain[].

Consumption of the root can cause hallucinations and delirium, and a piece of the root is taken by diviners to see visions and to make prophecies. Eating the raw root produces a burning sensation in the mouth and gullet[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Stem cuttings root easily. Stem tips 10 - 15cm long are used and, after taking the cutting, the stems are dipped in charcoal dust to seal the cut then left to form callus for a week before inserting them into the soil. Cuttings should root in 6 - 8 weeks[].

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