Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia matabelensis is a slightly succulent, deciduous shrub or a tree growing, usually growing up to 3 metres tall but occasionally to 8 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and sometimes to make a gum.

Known Hazards

Ingenol diterpenes can cause skin irritation and have tumour promoting properties. The use of the latex of Euphorbia matabelensis for medicinal purposes should therefore be discouraged[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - ?Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique.

Habitat

Open deciduous woodland, in sandy soils, often on rocky outcrops and hillsides, at elevations from 450- 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The boiled latex is sometimes used as a chewing gum[].

Medicinal

A root decoction, combined with the leaves of Dichrostachys cinerea, is drunk to treat depression, high blood pressure and swollen lymph glands[].
The root powder is rubbed into scarifications on the breasts as a galactagogue for foster mothers[].

A decoction of the chopped roots or latex is taken as a purgative in case of poisoning and also to induce abortion[].

An ingenol diterpene isolated from the latex exhibited irritant activity[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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