The medicinal uses under [] possibly also apply to Euphorbia tisserantii A.Chev. & Sillans, which is listed as a synonym in [], but is accepted as a distinct species in the 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families'[].

Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia teke is a laxly branched, spiny, shrubby tree usually growing from 3 - 6 metres tall, occasionally reaching 10 metres. The trunk is up to 10cm in diameter. A mainly leafless species for most of the year, though the leaves are persistent at the branch apices[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. An attractive species, it grows well in cultivation[]..

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

Tropical Africa - Central African Republic, Sudan, Congo, DR Congo, Uganda, Tanzania.

Habitat

Heavy clay soil with swamp forest or closed forest near swampy areas; riverine forest; at elevations from 900 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily cultivated plant[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The latex is boiled with an egg and taken as a strong purgative to treat gonorrhoea[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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