Euphorbia tanquahuete
Sessé & Moc.
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia elastica Altam. & Rose
Euphorbia fulva Stapf
Euphorbiodendron fulvum (Stapf) Millsp.
Common Name:
General Information
Euphorbia tanquahuete is a fast-growing tree reaching a height of 8 - 10 metres[
569- Title
- Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- HMSO; London.
- Year
- 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains a number of articles, including a number on rubber-producing trees. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
This tree was at one time seen as a possible commercial source of rubber - before the Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) and discovery of synthetic rubbers ruined the market for almost any other natural rubber.
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[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Botanical References
Range
Central America - Mexico.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Tree |
| Height | 8.00 m |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The plant is found in drier areas of the tropics and subtropics, at elevations of 1,500 - 1,900 metres. The mean annual rainfall in that area ranges from 550 - 750mm, and the mean annual temperature is between 17 - 20°c[
569- Title
- Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- HMSO; London.
- Year
- 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains a number of articles, including a number on rubber-producing trees. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Requires a sunny position. The tree thrives well on stony or rocky soils[
569- Title
- Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- HMSO; London.
- Year
- 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains a number of articles, including a number on rubber-producing trees. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The oil obtained from the seeds is purgative[
569- Title
- Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- HMSO; London.
- Year
- 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains a number of articles, including a number on rubber-producing trees. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Other Uses
A latex obtained from the plant yields a good quality rubber[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. The latex is thin and yellowish white; and does not coagulate readily[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. When dried it is a dough-like, dark yellow substance. By tapping, about a litre of the latex may be obtained from a tree[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The greatest difficulty in development of the tree as a source of rubber is found in the separation of the rubber from the resin, the amount of rubber being 18 - 20% and of the resin 40%[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The resin extracted from the latex is said to make an excellent varnish[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
A good drying oil, suitable for varnish, has been extracted from the seeds[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Seed -
Cuttings root easily[
569- Title
- Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- HMSO; London.
- Year
- 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains a number of articles, including a number on rubber-producing trees. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
