Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia polyantha is a succulent herbaceous perennial or shrub, usually growing up to 1.2 metres tall, occasionally reaching 3 metres. The stem and branches usually become woody with age[]. The plant has a very variable habit - it can be subscandent, form very dense rounded bushes or be rather slender and erect[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal 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

East tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania.

Habitat

Sandy stony soils in dry deciduous bushland; limestone and gypseous soils with Acacia-Commiphora bushland; at elevations from 160 - 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The latex is taken in milk as a purgative to treat stomach problems[].

A stem bark decoction is taken to treat stomach troubles and oedema[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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