Candelabra Spurge
Euphorbia abyssinica

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

Euphorbia abyssinica is an evergreen Tree growing to 7.5 m (24ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 7.5

Where it is found

Steep rocky hillsides; sometimes forming pure stands, often around churches; locally abundant or common at elevations from 840 - 2,400 metres.

Tropical Africa - Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Conservation Status: All succulent species of Euphorbia are listed in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), an international agreement that governs the trade in plants to ensure their survival into the future is not threatened.

Countries/locations it is found in

Djibouti; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Somalia; Sudan

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

A stem bark decoction is taken to treat gastro-intestinal complaints. The latex is taken in milk, or eaten with bread, to treat gonorrhoea or ascariasis. The latex is applied to wounds to accelerate healing. In Ethiopia, the sap has been used mixed with butter as a topical treatment for fungal skin infections. It is also used by traditional healers in the treatment of malaria and visceral leishmaniasis.

Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.

Other

Rating: 3

The soft, yellow wood is used for water pots, xylophones, roofing, matches, boxes, tables and saddles. The wood is used for fuel. The carbon from burnt wood is used for making gun powder. Studies have shown the sap can promote rooting in cuttings of other species such as the threatened tree, Boswellia papyrifera. Dynamic accumulator.

Experimental Crop: Plant breeders are testing these plants to see if they could be domesticated for cultivation, but they are still in an experimental phase. Examples include milkweed and leafy spurge.

Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.

Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Experimental Crop: Plant breeders are testing these plants to see if they could be domesticated for cultivation, but they are still in an experimental phase. Examples include milkweed and leafy spurge.

Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.

Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.

How it is grown

A plant of drier places in the tropics, where it can be found at elevations from 840 - 2,400 metres. Plants cannot tolerate frosts. Succeeds in full sun and in light shade.

Propagating it: 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

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry

Things to keep in mind

Euphorbia abyssinica has toxic milky sap that causes irritation and blistering if it comes into contact with the skin. The sap can also cause temporary or permanent blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes.

Its other names

Local names

Abyssinica Euphorbia

Synonyms

Euphorbia acrurensis N.E.Br. Euphorbia aethiopum Croizat Euphorbia controversa N.E.Br. Euphorbia disclusa N.E.Br. Euphorbia erythraeae (Berger) N.E.Br. Euphorbia grandis Lem. Euphorbia neglecta N.E.Br. Euphorbia neutra A.Berger Euphorbia obovalifolia A.Rich. Euphorbia officinarum kolquall Willd. Euphorbia richardiana Baill.