Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia polyacantha is a leafless, spiny, evergreen, succulent shrub with a candelabra-like crown. It usually grows up to 1.5 metres tall, occasionally to 2 metres, and is broader than high, with little or no clear trunk and numerous, densely erect branches[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is grown as a hedge and as an ornamental in home gardens[].

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

Africa - ?Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia; Arabian Peninsula - Yemen.

Habitat

Rocky slopes and outcrops with open Acacia or evergreen bushland to lower margins of Juniperus forest; dry hilly savannah of the Red Sea Hills; at elevations from 800 - 2,250 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The crushed stems are applied to scorpion stings[].

Agroforestry Uses:

It is planted as a live fence and for soil conservation purposes[].

Other Uses

The stem is crushed in water and applied to crops as an insecticide[].

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[].

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