[1]
Euphorbia cyparissias
[2]
Euphorbia cyparissias
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Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader. |
Family: Euphorbiaceae - Spurge [E-flora]
"Annual to shrub [tree; fleshy, ± cactus-like], glabrous or hairy; sap milky; generally monoecious. Stem: prostrate to erect, generally < 1 m; branches arrayed around main stem(s) in 3-dimensions or 2-ranked, resulting in 2-faced stems with adaxial leaf faces all displayed to top side and abaxial leaf faces to bottom side. Leaf: proximal cauline, alternate or opposite, ± sessile to petioled; distal-most cauline in some species whorled, subtending umbel-like cluster of inflorescence branches, leafy bracts distal to whorled leaves generally opposite (whorled); stipules 0, gland-like, thread-like, or scale-like, free or fused, entire to divided; blade entire or toothed (pinnately lobed), base symmetric or asymmetric. Inflorescence: 1° inflorescence a cyathium, resembling a flower; cyathia 1–many, stalked or sessile, terminal (axillary), in generally leafy-bracted cyme-like arrays; cyathium a compact unit comprising an involucre of 5 fused bracts enclosing 1–many reduced staminate flowers and 1(0) pistillate flower; involucre generally 1–5 mm, bract tips alternate with 1–5 nectary glands (derived from modified stipules of involucral bracts), these transversely crescent-shaped or oblong to ± round, flat to cup-like, entire, toothed, or with 2 horn-like lobes, with or without distal, white to pink or red, flat, petal-like appendages; bractlets within involucre membranous or thread-like, often fringed. Staminate flower: (1–4)5–many, generally in 5 clusters around pistillate flower (this difficult to observe); calyx 0; each staminate flower a single stamen jointed to tip of a thread-like pedicel; pedicel persistent, stamen deciduous after pollen released. Pistillate flower: (0)1, central, stalked; calyx 0; ovary chambers 3, styles 3, free or fused at base, undivided or ± deeply forked. Fruit: stalk generally elongating, generally curved, pushing developing fruit from involucre; capsule ± spheric to ovoid or oblong, in ×-section ± round to 3-lobed or -angled. Seed: ± round or ± 3- or 4-angled (flattened) in ×-section, smooth or sculptured; knob-like appendage at attachment scar present or 0.
± 1750 species: warm and/or dry temperate to tropics worldwide. Euphorbus, physician to the King of Mauritania, 1st century [Horn et al. 2012 Molec Phylogen Evol 63:305–326] Forms monophyletic group with Chamaesyce, included here. Euphorbia serrata L. <Noxious weed> considered extirpated from California; 2003 report that Euphorbia exigua L. is possibly naturalizing as yet unconfirmed; Euphorbia marginata Pursh occasionally persisting from gardens, but recent records lacking. Euphorbia graminea Jacq. <Noxious weed> an urban weed. For fruit, seeds, "in ×-section" indicated only if not lobed or angled. " [Jepson]
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[1]
Euphorbia cyparissias |
[2]
Euphorbia cyparissias |
"General: Perennial herb from a stout creeping rhizome; stems erect, simple below but freely branching above, glabrous, with milky juice, 15-30 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: "Mesic to dry roadsides, fields and waste places in the lowland zone; rare in SW BC; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Euphorbia cyparissias Linnaeus, Cypress Spurge, Graveyard Spurge. Mt (GA, NC, SC, VA, WV), Pd (DE, GA, NC, SC, VA), Cp (DE, VA): roadbanks, graveyards, waste places; common (uncommon in DE and WV), native of Europe. March-May (occasionally later). [= RAB, C, F, G, K, Q, W, WV; = Galarhoeus cyparissias (Linnaeus) Small ex Rydberg – S; = Tithymalus cyparissias (Linnaeus) Lamarck] " [Weakley FSMAS]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Synonyms:
Galarhoeus cyparissias (L.) Small ex Rydb. [E-flora]
Tithymalus cyparissias (L.) Hill [E-flora]
Image References
[1]
Euphorbia esula |
[2]
Euphorbia esula |
"General: Perennial herb from a heavy rhizome; stems erect, simple below but freely branching and umbrella-shaped above, glabrous to sparsely hairy above, with milky juice, 20-90 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: "Dry roadsides, fields and waste places in the steppe and montane zones; frequent in SC BC, less frequent in SE BC; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Euphorbia esula Linnaeus var. esula, Wolf's-milk, Leafy Spurge Mt (WV), Pd (VA): disturbed areas; rare, native of Eurasia. May-September. [= K; < Eu. esula – C, F, G, WV; = Eu. esula ssp. esula – Q; < Tithymalus esula (Linnaeus) Scopoli] " [Weakley FSMAS]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Synonyms: Euphorbia virgata [E-flora]
"Euphorbia esula: These plants can be used to dye silk and wool in black, yellow, and green. The seed oil can be used for paints. The plant is poisonous, especially seeds and roots. The latex irritates the skin and mucous membranes (Sokolov 1985). In Pakistan, Euphorbia helioscopia is used to repel the devil and diseases (Sher et al. 2016)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia esula: The powdered plant material is used to treat external tumors, tuberculosis, and syphilis. The milky juice is applied externally to remove warts and calluses, and to relieve leishmaniasis and scabies. A root broth is used as laxative, for jaundice and heart disease, and topically to treat rabies and wounds (Sokolov 1985). The latex is also used to treat warts (Bussmann 2017; Mehdiyeva et al. 2017)." [Kunwar EH]
Weed Control: "Current research (Boyette, 1994) is developing slow-release, alginate-encapsulated formulations of rhizobacteria to control leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and foxtail species (Setaria spp.)." [Burges FMB]
Image References
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[1]
Chamaesyce glyptosperma |
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[2]
Chamaesyce glyptosperma |
General: Annual herb from a fibrous root; stems prostrate, freely branched, often mat-forming, glabrous, with milky juice, 5-40 cm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: Dry disturbed areas, meadows and open forests in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent in SC BC, less frequent in SW and SE BC; E to PQ and NB; S to MO, OH, TX, CA and MX." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native[E-flora]
Synonyms: Chamaesyce glyptosperma (Engelm.) Small[E-flora]
Image References
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[1]
Euphorbia helioscopia |
General: Annual herb from a fibrous root; stems somewhat fleshy, simple or branched below, branched in an umbrella-shape above, sparsely hairy below to densely hairy above, with milky juice, 20-50 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: Mesic to dry roadsides, fields and waste places in the lowland and montane zones; rare in SW BC and SE BC; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Exotic[E-flora]
The sap contains a latex which is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially on contact with eyes or open cuts. The toxicity can remain high even in dried plant material[200]. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature[214]. [PFAF]
"Euphorbia helioscopia and Euphorbia schimperiana are used for skin problems in livestock (Ali et al. 2019; Bekalo et al. 2009) and to treat anthrax (Yineger et al. 2007)." [Kunwar EH]
"In Pakistan, Euphorbia helioscopia is used to repel the devil and diseases (Jan et al. 2019; Sher et al. 2016)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia helioscopia serves to treat fungal infections like athlete’s foot, eye sores, asthma, cholera, and constipation, and serves as anthelmintic (Muhammad et al. 2019; Umair et al. 2019)." [Kunwar EH]
Antiperiodic[178]. [PFAF]
Image References
[1]
Euphorbia lathyris |
[2]
Euphorbia lathyris |
General: Biennial herb from a fibrous root; stems erect, branched, fleshy, glabrous and glaucous, 30-100 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: Mesic to dry roadsides and waste places in the lowland zone; rare in SW BC, known only from Victoria and Vancouver; introduced from Europe." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Euphorbia lathyris Linnaeus, Caper Spurge, Myrtle Spurge, Mole Plant. Mt (NC, SC, VA, WV), Pd (VA), Cp (VA): roadsides, disturbed areas; uncommon (rare in NC and SC, rare in VA Piedmont, rare in VA Coastal Plain), native of Europe. June-August. [= RAB, F, K, Q, W, WV; = Eu. lathyrus – C, G, an orthographic variant; = Galarhoeus lathyrus – S]" [Weakley FSMAS]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Synonyms:
"Caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris L., Euphorbiaceae). Local name: rugna: »the young men say that the milk of this plant, and not others, produces the iris or rainbow on a blade of grass, bent in a circle, not larger than a coin, wet with saliva, as it in fact happens«." [Svanberg EE]
The sap contains a latex which is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially on contact with eyes or open cuts. The toxicity can remain high even in dried plant material[200]. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature[214]. The seed is also poisonous[76].
The genus Euphorbia contains a large number of species world wide, many with a highly irritant white latex. Twenty-one are found in the United Kingdom; [l] these include some common weeds, ornamental house plants and rock garden perennials. Extracts from several members of the genus have been used for medicinal purposes since antiquity , but because of the caustic nature of these chemicals they also represent a serious potential hazard. There are several reports in the literature over hundreds of years of such toxic reactions. We report on 3 cases involving Euphorbia lathyris (Caper Spurge) that led to a severe keratoconjunctivitis (not previously reported in the English literature). [1]
Caper Spurge is one of this family whose latex and seed are known to contain skin irritant and cocarcinogenic factors . The se are believed to be ingenol derivatives (a tetra cyclic ester from the diterpene group). [4] Interestingly, latex extract from 2- year-old specimens has been found to be 5 times as active as that from first- year vegetation .[5] [1]
The seed has been used as a substitute for capers. It is very acrid and requires long steeping in salt and water, and afterwards in vinegar[2]. Great caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. [PFAF]
A fine clear oil is obtained from the seed[4, 74]. Yields of 42% have been obtained[240]. The oil rapidly goes rancid and acquires a dangerous acrimony[4]. It is a violent poison, producing violent purging and irritation to the intestines[4]. It can be used medicinally when fresh[4]. [PFAF]
A latex in the leaves can be converted into vehicle fuel[160]. Reports suggest potential yields of fuel ranging from 5 to 125 barrels per hectare[218]. [PFAF]
Caper spurge was used in the past as a violent purgative, whilst the rubefacient action of the leaves was employed by beggars to raise unsightly sores on their skins to elicit pity and thereby obtain more money[254]. All parts of the plant are emetic and purgative[4, 7, 21] and the plant is nowadays considered to be far too toxic for it to be used medicinally[238]. [PFAF]
The latex in the stems has been used externally as a depilatory and to remove corns, but it is too irritant to be used safely[7, 254]. [PFAF]
The seed is diuretic, parasiticide and purgative[176, 218]. It has been used in the treatment of dropsy, oedema, tumours, amenorrhoea, schistosomiasis, scabies and snake bites[176, 240]. The fresh seed has an antitumor action, effective against acute lymphocytic and granulocytic leukaemia[176]. 'One seed capsule is said to cause catharsis, several to cause an abortion[207]. [PFAF]
The plant has anticancer activity[218]. It is also antiseptic, cathartic, emetic and purgative[218]. Use the plant with caution[4, 7, 21]. [PFAF]
L-DOPA - "Besides in Leguminosae, L-DOPA has also been demonstrated in the latex of Euphorbia lathyrus L. (Liss 1961) and in Aristolochia clematilis L. (Pilarczyk 1958)." [Bajaj MAPS 2]
Lathyranes: "Lathyranes are, for the most part, isolated from Euphorbiaceae. Representatives include 7E-hydroxylathyrol from Euphorbia lathyris, the cinnamic acid esters de- noted as jolkinols from E. jolkini, and ingol, a skin-irritating and antineoplastic hydrolyzate obtained from E. ingens and E. kamerunica." [Breitmaier Terpenes]
Companion Plant/Rodent Repellent: The growing plant is said to repel mice and moles, this is said to be most effective in its second year of growth though lots of reports cast doubt on this ability[18, 21, 54, 160].
Journals
[1] Euphorbia lathyris latex keratoconjunctivitis, Antcliff, R J, Eye (London), 1994
Image References
[1]
Euphorbia maculata |
General: "Annual herb from a fibrous root; stems prostrate, softly hairy to bristly, with milky juice, 10-40 cm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: "Dry disturbed sites and waste places in the lowland zone; rare in SW and SC BC; introduced from S U.S." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Euphorbia maculata Linnaeus, Milk-purslane, Spotted Spurge. Cp (DE, FL, GA, NC, SC, VA, WV), Pd (DE, GA, NC, SC, VA), Mt (GA, NC, SC, VA): gardens, fields, disturbed places, crevices in pavement or sidewalks; common. January- December. QC west to ND, south to s. FL and TX; introduced in various places worldwide. [= C, G, Q, W; = Chamaesyce maculata (Linnaeus) Small – GW, K, S, WH, Z; > Euphorbia supina Rafinesque – RAB, F, WV]" [Weakley FSMAS]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Synonyms: Chamaesyce maculata (L.) Small [E-flora]
Image References
[1]
Euphorbia myrsinites |
Introduction: "Perennial garden escape can spread into dry places such as railroad tracks and banks. Collected from Lillooet where it spread from a garden (Lomer 6588 @ UBC)." [E-flora]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Image References
[1]
Euphorbia peplus |
General: "Annual herb from a fibrous root; stems erect, freely branched, glabrous, 10-30 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: "Disturbed sites and waste places in the lowland and steppe zones; locally frequent on SE Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, rare in the lower Fraser Valley and SC BC; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Euphorbia peplus Linnaeus, Petty Spurge. Mt (NC, VA, WV), Pd (VA), Cp (DE): disturbed areas; rare, native of Eurasia. Naturalized in Watauga County, NC (Poindexter, pers. comm.). [= C, F, G, K; = Galarhoeus peplus (Linnaeus) Haworth – S; > Eu. peplus var. minima A.P. de Candolle – Q; > Eu. peplus var. peplus – Q; = Tithymalus peplus (Linnaeus) Hill] " [Weakley FSMAS]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Synonyms:
Image References
[1]
Euphorbia serpens |
"Euphorbia serpens (Kunth) Small. Cp (FL, GA): dry sandy hammocks; rare. Allegedly in se. PA (Rhoads & Klein 1993). [= C, F, G, Q; = Chamaesyce serpens (Kunth) Small – K, S, WH] " [Weakley FSMAS]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Image References
"The genus Euphorbia consists of 2000 to 3000 species which grow in semi-arid lands throughout the world. The latex from these species is highly vesicanting; it irritates the skin and mucous membranes, and is used as a fish poison and an insecticide. Its biological functions have been reported to be caused by the fatty acid esters of diterpene alcohols (Furstenberger and Hacker 1977). Calvin (1979) has spear- headed a drive to develop Euphorbia species as future sources of gasoline, and has propagated E. tirucalli (African milk bush) and E. lathyris (gopherwood) on a large scale. His group has reported that chemical constituents of Euphorbia species are mainly triterpene alcohols (Nishimura et al. 1977)." [Majaj MAPS 3]
"The genus Euphorbia is characterized by the occurrence of highly irritant and frequently tumour-promoting latex causing many toxicological problems to humans and animals. Various diterpene type toxins based on a tigliane and ingenane skeleton, referred to as 'phorboids', were isolated from Euphorbia species and identified as responsible for these effects (Evans and Taylor, 1983)." [Acamovie PPRT]
Toxic Phytodermatitis: "An example of toxic phytodermatitis is the irritant phorbol dermatitis caused by the sun spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia L.) (156)." [BMBBed]
"An attribute of some genera, including Euphorbia and Chamaesyce, both represented in our region, is a milky sap that may irritate the skin." [Kozloff PWO]
Fish poisons: "He wrote about fishing with poisonous plants based on his field data col- lected in the Gyalu Mountains. He focused mainly on two genera, the species of Verbascum and Euphorbia, as it seemed that representatives of these genera were used all over Europe as fish poison. Numerous species of these two genera were used for fishing (there are data on Euphorbia cyparissias, E. villosa, E. angulata, E. helioscopia, E. amygdaloides, E. palustris, E. esula, as well as Verbascum phlo- moides, V. thapsus, V. blattaria, and V. glabratum)." [Svanberg EE]
Oil Crop: "After the oil embargo of the early 1970s, hundreds of species of Euphorbia and other genera were screened for their content in biocrude, with the assumption that one of the most promising options for producing liquid fuels from biomass is the direct extraction of the low molecular weight nonpolar constituents of plants (Buchanan et al. 1978a, b; Adams and McChesney 1983; Bhatia et al. 1984; Ng'eny-Mengech and Kiumba 1985; Adams et al. 1986; Sharma and Prasad 1986; Gnecco et al. 1988). The criteria for the selection of the best candidates for energy cultures were: high concentrations of hydrocarbon-like compounds, and high production of biomass in marginal lands (McLaughlin et al. 1983). Following these criteria, Euphorbia lathyris was selected for establish- ment and maintenance of experimental cultures in California (Calvin 1987) and Spain (Ayerbe et al. 1984a, b). E. tirucalli has been studied in experimental plantations, namely in Kenya (100 ha) (Declerck et al. 1985). These field cultures, established by traditional methods of sowing and/or transplantation, have allowed the study of the ability of these crops to produce fuel and chemicals under different conditions of irrigation and plant density (Ayerbe et al. 1984b; Ventas et al. 1985)." [Bajaj MAPS 7]
Euphorbia characias: "The total crude oil content of the aerial part of wild plants of E. characias varies from 5 to 8% of the dry weight, depending on the season. The major compounds identified in this fraction were the 4,4-dimethyl sterols lanosterol, lanosterol isomer, cycloartenol, and 24-methylene cycloartanol, the triterpenone lupene-3- one, the hydrocarbons nonacosane, hentriacontane, and tritriacontane, and the fatty acids 12:0, 14:0, 15:0,16:0,18:0,18:1,18:2,18:3,20:0,22:0, and 24:0." [Bajaj MAPS 7]
"Because of the presence of the toxic phorboids, the use of Euphorbia species in traditional medicine was very restricted, and phytochemical, pharmacological studies on this genus focused mainly on the irritant phorboids." [Acamovie PPRT]
Euphorbia characias: "Euphorbia characias is a native species of mediterranean regions, growing wild in
Portugal in marginal lands, namely at the south of the Mondego River. During
the Middle Ages the seeds and latex of wild plants of this species were used as
powerful purgatives (Quer 1981). The latex was taken as pills or as lenticular
tablets after mixing with the flour of some oleaginous seeds. The latex was also
used to destroy warts and, mixed with olive-oil, as a hair-remover (Quer 1981).
The crushed and ground plants of E. characias were also used in lakes and rivers
by fishermen, enabling the capture of the fish immobilized by the rapidly
dissolved poison. As with other species of Euphorbia, E. characias is highly toxic
and extremely harmful to the skin, mucous membranes, heart, liver, and
stomach (Quer 1981)." [Bajaj MAPS 7]
Euphorbia fischeriana: "Some species have been used for treatment of cancer, tumors, and warts for more than 2000 years (Kupchan et al. 1976). This is the case for E. fischeriana Steud., that was used in traditional Chinese medicine as an antitumor drug (Schroeder et al. 1980)." [Bajaj MAPS 7]
Euphorbia lancifolia "Since antiquity, Euphorbia species have been used for multiple purposes. The leaves and branchlets of Euphorbia lancifolia Schlecht were used by Mayam Indians to produce a tea named I xbut which is reported to act as a galactogogue, increasing the flow or volume of milk in postpartem women (Rosengarten 1978; Schultes 1987)." [Bajaj MAPS 7]
"Many species of Euphorbia are used to kill ectoparasites in livestock (Kioko et al. 2015; Wanzala 2017)." [Kunwar EH]
"Besides the presence of the well-known ingenanes and tiglianes, the genus also produces a high diversity of macrocyclic diterpenoids, which are regarded as precursors of polycyclic derivatives and occur in plants generally as complex mixtures in low concentration (Jakupovic et al., 1998; Appendino et al., 1998, 1999; Abbas et al., 2000). Among these jatrophanes and lathyranes are the pre-eminent in terms of distribution, biogenetic relevance and structural complexity" [Acamovie PPRT]
Fernanes "...(-)-3B,11B-dihydroxy-8-fernen-7-one in Euphorbia supina (Euphorbiaceae)." [Breitmaier Terpenes]
Lathyranes "Lathyranes are, for the most part, isolated from Euphorbiaceae. Representatives include 7E-hydroxylathyrol from Euphorbia lathyris, the cinnamic acid esters denoted as jolkinols from E. jolkini, and ingol, a skin-irritating and antineoplastic hydrolyzate obtained from E. ingens and E. kamerunica." [Breitmaier Terpenes]
Lanostanes Lanosterol is also found in yeast and other fungi, in Euphorbiaceae such as Euphorbia regis jubae, and in various other higher plants." [Breitmaier Terpenes]
Jatrophanes "Various differently substituted jatrophanes are isolated from Euphorbiaceae, such as the esulones from Euphorbia esula and the euphornines from E. helioscopia and E. maddeni." [Breitmaier Terpenes]
Daphnanes "Daphnanes are more frequently found such as daphnetoxin in flowers and bark of Daphne species exemplified by Daphne mezereum (Thymeliaceae), irritating hu- man skin and mucous membranes, as well as (+)-resiniferatoxin from Euphorbia resinifera and related species. Some daphnanes are reported to have antineoplastic and antileukemic activities." [Breitmaier Terpenes]
Tirucallanes and Euphanes "Tirucallanes and the 20-epimeric euphanes are frequently found in Euphorbiaceae, and are exemplied by tirucallol and its (20R)-epimer euphol from Euphorbia tirucalli and related species." [Breitmaier Terpenes]
"Some representatives of Euphorbiaceae s.l. occupy the ecological niche of pioneer plants (Chamaesyce, Euphorbia, Phyllanthus)." [Rai MPBD]
"heliophile n. An organism that lives under high light intensity, e.g., Euphorbia spp. (Euphorbs) (Lincoln et al. 1985)." [Barrows ABDR3]
"luciphile, photophile n. An organism that lives in open, well-lit habitats, e.g., Euphorbia spp. (Euphorbs) (Lincoln et al. 1985). cf. lucifugous, lucipetal" [Barrows ABDR3]
"Various species of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) and Suaeda (Chenopodiaceae) have also been reported as ant pollinated (Ehrenfeld 1978; Blackwell & Powell 1981)." [Beattie TEEAPM]
Windbreak: "Hedgerows of Euphorbia tirucalli L. protect maize fields and settlements in the dry savannas of Tanzania and Kenya." [Boyle PF]
[1]
Chamaesyce hirta |
[2]
Euphorbia hirta |
Range: Trop. America [MBO Volume II] "The native range of this species is Tropical & Subtropical America. It is an annual and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome." [POWO]
"Euphorbia hirta Linnaeus, Pillpod Sandmat. Cp (FL, GA, NC, SC), Pd (GA, SC, VA): fields, disturbed ground, waste areas, in and around greenhouses; rare, perhaps only adventive in the northern part of our area. (January-) June-October (- December). E. NC, c. SC, south to s. FL, west to TX, and south into Central and South America." [Weakley FSMAS]
"Euphorbia hirta: Sometimes eaten as vegetable (Dangol et al. 2017)." [Kunwar EH]
"Downsides: Newall, Anderson, and Phillipson (1996) caution because of its effect on smooth muscle activ- ity, in vitro; its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided. Aqueous extracts caused varying testicular degeneration and reduced mean seminiferous tubular diameter in rats, sug- gesting deleterious effects on testes and accessory organs of rats; caution should therefore be exercised (X14610373). As of July 2007, the FDA Poisonous Plant Database listed 19 titles alluding to toxicity of this species." [Duke MPLA]
"Euphorbiaceae: Chamaesyce hirta (L.) MILL., for aphtous ulcer in the mouth. Chamaesyce cf thy mi- folia (L.) MILL., for the breast and the blood." [Roth SAMP]
"...Euphorbia hirta L. [=Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp.] is used for diarrhoea,..." [UNIDO Africa]
"Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millspaugh Shushufindi. Weedy herb in houseyards. Pan- tropical weed. wito sa'wi (Siona) [33] Milky sap from broken stem is used to treat fungus infections between the toes." [Vickers UPSSI]
"Chamaesyce hirta; (2) PILL-POD SANDMAT; (3) euphorbiaceae; (4) Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Haleakala National Park, Nature Preserve of American Samoa, Panama; (5) discutient, diuretic, narcotic, vermifuge; (6) asthma, bronchitis, cough, debility, diarrhea, fever, spasms, warts (1)" [CRC Eth]
Select Activities: Amebicide (1; KAP; VOD; X10228613); Analgesic (1; HDN; MPB; X1896520); Anthelmintic (f1; KAP; NPM); Anticancer (1; KAP); Antidiarrheal (1; X10228613; X10782488; X16257136; X8095537); Antiedemic (f1; HDN; X16557622; X1896520); Antiemetic (f; HDN; KAB); Antiinflammatory (f1; HDN; MPB; X16557622; X1896520); Anti- leukemic (1; HDN; KAP); Antimalarial (1; X15182900); Antiplasmodial (1; X10624878; X15182900); Antiplatelet (1; HDN); Antiseptic (1; HDN; MD2; UPW; X16730921); Antispasmodic (1; VOD; X10228613; X10782488); Antiviral (1; HDN); Anxiolytic (1; HDN; MPB; X1973750); Aphrodisiac (f; HDN; VOD); Bactericide (1; HDN; X10228613; X16730921; X9395690); Bron- chorelaxant (f1; NAD; UPW); Carcinogenic (1; HDN); Cardiodepressant (f1; KAB; NAD); Cicatrizant (f; HDN; MD2); Cytotoxic (1; HDN); Diuretic (f1; EGG; HDN; VOD; X10350369; X8847884); Emetic (1; KAB); Febrifuge (f1; KAB; MPB; X1896520); Hemostat (f; KAB; MD2); Hydragogue (f; MPB); Hypoglycemic (1; DIA; HDN; KAP); Immunosuppressive (1; X16557622); Insecticide (1; VOD); Irritant (1; HDN); Lactagogue (f1; ADP; DEP; HDN; KAB; UPW; VOD); Mastogenic (1; HDN; IED); Molluscacide (1; X15722098); Myorelaxant (1; HDN; KAP); Narcotic (f; AHL; DEP; KAB); Purga- tive (f; EGG; UPW); Sedative (f1; KAB; X1973750); Stimulant (f; UPW); [Duke MPLA]
"Euphorbia hirta: Various biological activities have been reported by different solvent extracts and purified compounds of E. hirta. The ethanol extract has shown potent antibacterial activity against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (Sudhakar et al. 2006; Ogbulie et al. 2007; Suresh et al. 2008; Abubakar 2009; Annamalai et al. 2013). Ethanolic extract of E. hirta was reported to have shown antifungal activity against various fungal pathogens (Mohamed et al. 1996; Suresh et al. 2008). Similarly, very high antimalarial activity had been shown by natural compounds afzelin, quercitrin, and myricitrin isolated from E. hirta (Liu et al. 2007). It has also antiviral activity including against dengue virus (Perera et al. 2018). Ethanol extract of E. hirta has also been described to have shown anti-allergic activity (Singh et al. 2006; Youssouf et al. 2007) and antidiabetic activity (Kumar et al. 2010b; Widharna et al. 2010). Importantly, the aqueous extract of E. hirta has been described to have shown antidiarrheal activity (Hore et al. 2006), anti-amoebic activity (Tona et al. 2000), anti-inflammatory activity (Lanhers et al. 1991), analgesic activity (Lanhers et al. 1991), diuretic activity (Johnson et al. 1999), and anti- mutagenic activity (Loh et al. 2009). Anticancer and antitumor activity of methanol extract, ethanol extract, and purified compounds has also been well described (Brindha et al. 2010; Ragasa and Cornelio 2013; Sharma et al. 2014). Similarly, some pure compounds isolated from E. hirta showed antidiarrheal activity (Galvez et al. 1993) and anti-inflammatory activity (Martínez-vázquez et al. 1999; Ekpo and Pretorius 2007; Sharma et al. 2014). Genotoxic activity of methanol extract of E. hirta has also been observed (Ping et al. 2012)." [Kunwar EH]
Select Indications: Allergies (f1; HDN; X16557622); Amebiasis (1; HDN; KAP; X10782488); Arthrosis (f; DAV; EGG); Asthenia (f; HDN); Asthma (f; ADP; DEP; DIA; KAB; KAP; NPM; VOD; X15722098); Bacteria (1; HDN; X10228613; X8847884; X9395690); Boils (f; NPM; SKJ); Bronchosis (f; ADP; AHL; DIA; KAB; KAP; NPM); Cancer (1; JLH; MPI); Childbirth (f; HDN; X17362507); Colic (f; ADP; KAB; MD2; MPI; NAD; WOI; X15722098); Corneosis (f; HDN; IHB; MPB); Coughs (f; DEP; KAB; KAP; X15722098); Dermatosis (f; ADP; JFM; NPM; SKJ); Diabetes (1; DIA; HDN); Diarrhea (f1; HDN; KAB; MD2; VOD; X10228613; X10782488; X16257136; X8095537); Dislocation (f; MD2; NPM); Dysentery (f1; ADP; HDN; KAB; KAP; VOD; WOD; X15722098); Dyslactea (f1; ADP; HDN; UPW); Edema (f1; HDN; KAB; X10350369; X1896520); Enterosis (f1; KAB; KAP; MD2; X16730921); Escherichia (1; HDN; X16730921); Fever (f; HDN; JFM); Fungus (f; NAD; SKJ; UPW); Gonorrhea (f; DEP; IHB; JFM); High Blood Pressure (f1; HDN; JFM; VOD; X10350369); Impotence (f; HDN; VOD); Infection (f1; HDN; MD2; NPM; X15182900; X16730921); Inflammation (f1; KAB; X1896520); Insomnia (1; HDN; X1973750); Leukemia (1; HDN; KAP); Leukorrhea (f; ADP); Malaria (1; X10624878; X15182900); Measles (f; HDN; JFM); Metrorrhagia (f; HDN; MD2); Mucososis (f; KAB); Mycosis (f; UPW); Nephrosis (f; JFM; SKJ); Ophthalmia (f; JLH; KAB; MPB);Pain (f1; ADP; HDN; MPB; NPM; X1896520); Parasites (f; HDN; NAD); Respirosis (f; KAB; VOD); Rheumatism (f; DAV; EGG); Ringworm (f; NAD; SKJ; UPW); Shigella (1; HDN; X8847884; X9395690); Snake Bite (f; HDN; MPB); Sores (f; KAB); Staphylococcus (1; HDN; X16730921); Stings (f; HDN); Stomatosis (f; SKJ); Stress (1; HDN; X1973750); Sties (f; UPW); Swelling (f1; HDN; X1896520); Threadworm (f; UPW); Thrush (f; HDN); Tinea (f; HDN); Trichomo- nas (f; VOD); Ulcers (1; X15681161); Urogenitosis (f; ADP; KAB; WOI); VD (f; DEP; UPW); Viruses (1; HDN; KAP); Vomiting (f; DEP; KAB); Warts (f; KAB; MPI; SOU); Worms (f; JFM; KAB; KAP); Wounds (f; JLH; MD2; NPM). [Duke MPLA]
"FNFF = ! Greens eaten in parts of Africa and Asia (NPM; UPW). Young leafy buds eaten in times of scarcity (TAN). Leaves eaten as a vegetable (WOI). 0.12–0.3 ml liquid extract (CAN); 120–300 mg herb, as tea (CAN); 0.6–2 ml herb tincture (CAN); 28–56 ml plant decoction (KAP); 14–28 ml plant tea (KAP)." [Duke MPLA]
"E. hirta is used in traditional medicines since the Vedic period. It is employed to cure gastrointestinal disorders, bronchial and respiratory diseases, diuretic and kidney stones, genital disorders, ocular disorders, skin and mucous problems, and tumor." [Kunwar EH]
"Fresh plant extract or decoction is used for hypertension (Ahmad et al. 2015). Euphorbia hirta is used for bronchial infec- tions, asthma, and warts (Kumar et al. 2011; Kunwar et al. 2010a, b, 2015). In Madagascar, the species serves to treaty urine retention and gonorrhea (Razafindraibe et al. 2013; Rabearivony et al. 2015), and for bronchitis in infants, as well as premature closure of the fontanelle (Randreanarivony et al. 2016a, b). In Pakistan, it is used to treat diabetes (Ullah et al. 2019). It is also used to treat cuts, wounds, scabies, eczema, skin problems, and boils (Kala et al. 2004), and also for lip cracks (Muthu et al. 2006) and respiratory tract diseases (Mohagheghzadeh and Faridi 2006). It is used as anthelmintic in children (Singh et al. 2002) and to treat snakebites (Houghton and Osibogun 1993)." [Kunwar EH]
"Plant juice is useful for boils, cuts, and wounds and is also considered to be used in treatment of asthma, cough, and diarrhea. It is also useful for cardiovascular complaints and spleen disorders (Kunwar and Duwadee 2003; Kunwar et al. 2010). The plant is used for asthma, respiratory disorders, and cough (Kayani et al. 2014)." [Kunwar EH]
"Plant is used for cough, as diuretic, and expectorant (Hassan et al. 2017). Plant is used to cure skin disease (Barkatullah et al. 2015). The extract of whole plant is used as expectorant, diuretic, and also used for curing pulmonary complaints. Plant powder is mixed with water and used to treat diarrhea (Amjad et al. 2017)." [Kunwar EH]
"Whole plant powder is used for asthma and bronchitis, and latex is used for premature ejaculation (Mahmood et al. 2012). It is used as expectorant, anthelmintic, and also used in bronchial affections, cough, asthma, bowel complaints, and against worms (Ahmad Jan et al. 2017)." [Kunwar EH]
"Because spurges, like C. hirta, flower when young and have little or no seed dormancy, weed populations can increase rapidly. Removal of plants when they are
young reduces seed production. Spurges are time consuming to hand weed because
they produce so many seedlings. Some species may forcefully discharge seeds
(Neal and Derr 2005).
Spurges are well controlled by most preemergence nursery herbicides containing
a dinitroaniline but less well controlled by oxadiazon or oxyfluorfen. Herbicides
such as glyphosate (1.080 g/ha) + 2.4-D (241.8 g/ha) at 14 days before sowing, paraquat + diuron (400 + 200 g/ha) on the sowing day, and glyphosate (960 g/ha) at 35
days after crop emergence gave good control of all the weeds tested, including C.
hirta (Petter et al. 2007).
Biological control has not been attempted." [Nandwani SHS]
Image References
"Euphorbia abyssinica serves to remedy venereal diseases and rabies (Teklehaymanot et al. 2007), and ringworm (Teklehaymanot 2009)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia alluaudii is used in Madagascar for dental treatments (Randreanarivony et al. 2016a, b)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia ampliphylla latex is used for warts (Giday et al. 2010; Mekonnen et al. 2015) and to treat rabies (Giday et al. 2007)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia breviarticulata is used for trachoma and other eye problems (Teklehaymanot et al. 2010)." [Kunwar EH]
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is W. Angola. It is a succulent tree and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome." [POWO]
Veterinary Aid "Euphorbia candelabrum: Roasted bark is applied to infected wounds and for brucellosis in livestock, and the sap is applied to calves’ cheeks to treat East Coast Fever (Kokwaro 2009)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia candelabrum: A stem decoction is used after childbirth to expel the placenta. The bark is used for skin diseases (Kokwaro 2009). A decoction of the pith is used after childbirth (Maasai) (Beentje 1994). The latex is used for wounds and warts (Njoroge and Bussmann 2007). The species serves also to treat joint pain, general venereal diseases, and infertility (Muthee et al. 2011). It is used to treat gonorrhea (Wondimu et al. 2007)." [Kunwar EH]
Euphorbia candelabrum Trémaux ex Kotschy - "This name is a synonym of Euphorbia murielii" [POWO]
"Euphorbia chamaesyce is used to treat constipation and dysentery in children (Bhat et al. 2013)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia crotonoides serves for stomach problems (Giday et al. 2003)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia cuneata is used for gonorrhea (Muthee et al. 2011)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia dracunculoides is used against skin parasites, acne, snakebites, and epilepsy (Umair et al. 2019)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia heterochroma serves to treat fever and glandular problems (Delbanco et al. 2017)." [Kunwar EH]
Chamaesyce hypericifolia (L.) Millsp. - This name is a synonym of Euphorbia hypericifolia [POWO]
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is Tropical & Subtropical America. It is an annual or subshrub and grows primarily in the subtropical biome. It is used to treat unspecified medicinal disorders and as a medicine." [POWO]
"Chamaesyce hypericifolia; (3) euphorbiaceae; (4) Bahamas, Dominican Republic; (6) asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, dysentery, dysuria, fever, toothache, vaginitis(1)" [CRC Eth]
"Euphorbia hypericifolia is used to treat menorrhagia and diarrhea (Bhat et al. 2013)." [Kunwar EH]
"Extracts of plants of different species like Chamaesyce hypericifolia, Conocarpus erectus, and Quercus virginiana show quorum sensing inhibiting property and guard the growth of pathogenic bacteria (Adonizio et al. 2006)." [Gupta NVM]
Chamaesyce hyssopifolia (L.) Small - This name is a synonym of Euphorbia hyssopifolia [POWO]
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is Tropical & Subtropical America. It is an annual and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome. It is used to treat unspecified medicinal disorders and as a medicine." [POWO]
"Euphorbia hyssopifolia Linnaeus, Hyssopleaf Sandmat. Cp (FL, GA, SC): disturbed ground; common. May-October. SC south to s. FL, west to LA; also in w. TX, s. NM, and n. Mexico, and south to s. South America. Its status in our area has been muddled by confusion with E. nutans. [= Q: = Chamaesyce hyssopifolia (Linnaeus) Small – GW, K, WH, Z] " [Weakley FSMAS]
"Chamaesyce hyssopifolia; (3) euphorbiaceae; (4) Dominican Republic; (6) dysuria, fever (1)" [CRC Eth]
"Euphorbia brasiliensis - Bovines - Gastrointestinal irritation, diarrhoea, photosensitivity, hair loss, some examples of HCN toxicosis" [Acamovie PPRT]
Euphorbia brasiliensis Lam. - "This name is a synonym of Euphorbia hyssopifolia" [POWO]
"Euphorbia joyae is used for tonsillitis (Njoroge and Bussmann 2006b) as well as postpartum hemorrhages (Njoroge and Bussmann 2007)." [Kunwar EH]
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is Bolivia to S. South America. It is an annual and grows primarily in the subtropical biome." [POWO]
"Euphorbia klotzschii: The aerial parts are consumed as salads and soup accompanied with potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and in soups (Echeverría et al. 2020)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia klotzschii: It is used as forage (bitter and toxic) (Echeverría et al. 2020)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia klotzschii: The secreted latex is used to heal wounds and to remove warts on the skin (Echeverría et al. 2020)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia macroceras serves for tooth pain (Bussmann et al. 2018)." [Kunwar EH]
"The native range of this species is NW. Madagascar. It is a semisucculent tree and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome." [POWO]
"Euphorbia mandravioky is used to better handle cattle and as glue to catch birds (Randrianarivony et al. 2016a, b)." [Kunwar EH]
Habitat/Range: The native range of this species is Iran to Myanmar. It is a succulent shrub or tree and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. It is used as a poison and a medicine, has environmental uses and for food." [POWO]
"Euphorbia neriifolia: It is used as anthelmintic and for asthma and toothache (Gairola et al. 2014)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia pilosa is used to treat constipation and is used as an emetic in cases of food poisoning (Bhat et al. 2013)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia pilulifera serves for cough, bronchial asthma, diarrhea, indigestion, pain, burns, cuts, and wounds (Umair et al. 2019)." [Kunwar EH]
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is S. California to S. Arizona and NW. Mexico. It is an annual or perennial and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome." [POWO]
Chamaesyce polycarpa (Benth.) Millsp. - "This name is a synonym of Euphorbia polycarpa" [POWO]
The Cahuilla used Chamaesyce polycarpa (Small Seed Sandmat) as a nonmilitary poison [David E. Jones]
Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small - This name is a synonym of Euphorbia prostrata[POWO]
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is Central & S. U.S.A. to Tropical & Subtropical America. It is an annual and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome. It is used as a poison and a medicine, has social uses and for food." [POWO]
"Euphorbia prostrata Aiton, Prostrate Sandmat. Pd (GA, NC, SC, VA), Cp (FL, NC, SC, VA), Mt (NC, SC, VA, WV): crevices of pavement or sidewalks, disturbed places; rare, probably native of tropical America and only naturalized in our area. January-December. [= C, Q; = Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small – K, S, WH, Z; = Euphorbia chamaesyce Linnaeus – RAB, F, G, misapplied] " [Weakley FSMAS]
"Chamaesyce prostrata; (2) PROSTRATE SANDMAT; (3) euphorbiaceae; (4) Dominican Republic, Nature Preserve of American Samoa; (6) asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis (1)" [CRC Eth]
"Euphorbia prostrata has traditional uses for diarrhea, hepatic ulcers, eczema, bladder stones, and is used as blood purifier (Umair et al. 2019), and to treat diabetes (Ullah et al. 2019)." [Kunwar EH]
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is Pakistan to China (S. Sichuan, Yunnan, W. Guangxi), Taiwan. It is a succulent shrub or tree and grows primarily in the temperate biome." [POWO]
"Euphorbia royleana: It is used for skin problems and body pain (Kichu et al. 2015)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia royleana latex is used to treat arthritis (Kunwar et al. 2009, 2010a, b, 2013, 2016, 2019; Kunwar and Bussmann 2009), for fractures (Singh et al. 2019), and as antiseptic (Malik et al. 2015)." [Kunwar EH]
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is Tropical Africa, Arabian Peninsula. It is a perennial or subshrub and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome." [POWO]
"Euphorbia schimperiana is used to treat syphilis and Euphorbia dumalis is also used for the same purpose (Bussmann et al. 2011)." [Kunwar EH]
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is Europe to Xinjiang and Pakistan. It is a subshrub and grows primarily in the temperate biome. It is used as a medicine." [POWO]
"Euphorbia seguieriana: A khaki-colored dye is obtained from the leaves of the plant (Mehdiyeva et al. 2017)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia seguieriana: It is a poisonous plant. A tea is used to treat malaria, and the decoction as laxative and emetic. The latex of the plant is used for the same purposes. The latex is used externally for removal of warts and callus (Mehdiyeva et al. 2017)." [Kunwar EH]
"The native range of this species is Easter Island, SE. Canada to Tropical & Subtropical America. It is an annual and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome." [POWO]
"It is used as a medicine." [POWO]
"Chamaesyce serpens; (3) euphorbiaceae; (4) Dominican Republic, Haiti; (6) asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, dysentery, dysuria, fever, toothache (1)" [CRC Eth]
Chamaesyce serpens (Kunth) Small - "This name is a synonym of Euphorbia serpens" [POWO]
References
"The native range of this species is Tropical & Subtropical America. It is an annual or helophyte and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome." [POWO]
"It is used as a poison and a medicine and for food." [POWO]
Chamaesyce thymifolia - roots - anti-inflammatory, healing, cell regeneration [Rai MPBD]
Chamaesyce thymifolia (L.) Millsp. - "This name is a synonym of Euphorbia thymifolia" [POWO]
References
[1]
Euphorbia tirucalli |
[2]
Euphorbia tirucalli |
[3]
Euphorbia tirucalli |
Habitat/Range: "The native range of this species is Madagascar. It is a semisucculent shrub or tree and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome." [POWO]
"It is used as animal food, a poison, a medicine and invertebrate food, has environmental uses and social uses and for fuel and food." [POWO]
"Euphorbia tirucalli: Young branches may be roasted and chewed (Kokwaro 2009)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia tirucalli: It is used as fish poison and often planted as hedge (Beentje 1994; Neuwinger 2004)." [Kunwar EH]
"Euphorbia tirucalli: The juice is used for sore throat and stomach problems. The boiled root is eaten as emetic to treat snakebite and also to treat sterility in women. The plant is highly toxic, and any use requires high care (Kokwaro 2009). It is used for female health (Delbanco et al. 2017) and also used for malaria (Njoroge and Bussmann 2006a). The latex is used for warts (Njoroge and Bussmann 2007). It is also used to treat gonorrhea, hemorrhages, and help to ease delivery (Wondimu et al. 2007; Teklehaymanot et al. 2007)." [Kunwar EH]
Image References
"Euphorbia thomsoniana is employed in Pakistan for wet and dry eczema (Sher et al. 2016)." [Kunwar EH]