The name of this species is often spelled Euphorbia monteiri[].

Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia monteiroi is an evergreen, succulent, perennial plant producing a number of usually unbranched stems from a woody rootstock. The roots are occasionally rhizomatous, branching below ground to form spreading plants. The whole plant usually grows up to 30cm tall, though can sometimes be up to 75cm[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal uses[].

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

Southern Africa - Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Africa.

Habitat

Open and sparsely vegetated areas[]. Sandy soils in wooded grassland at elevations from 1,000 - 1,070 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Requires a well-drained soil[]. Found mainly on sandy soils in the wild[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The thick, lateral roots are cut into slices and added to boiling milk. This liquid is said to purify the blood and to be a tonic for the metabolism[, ]. An infusion of the crushed roots is drunk as an emetic and purgative[].

A leaf and root decoction is taken to treat biliousness[].

A latex obtained at points of damage to the plant is applied to decaying teeth[].

Other Uses

A white latex is exuded from points of injury anywhere on the plant[].

Propagation

Seed -

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