Caper Spurge, Moleplant
Euphorbia lathyris
Family: Euphorbiaceae
What it is like
Euphorbia lathyris is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Flies. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained 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 or moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Woods, avoiding acid soils.
Europe. Possibly native to Britain but more common as a garden escape.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 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. Great caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Oil: Oil
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 2
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. All parts of the plant are emetic and purgative and the plant is nowadays considered to be far too toxic for it to be used medicinally. 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. The seed is diuretic, parasiticide and purgative. It has been used in the treatment of dropsy, oedema, tumours, amenorrhoea, schistosomiasis, scabies and snake bites. The fresh seed has an antitumor action, effective against acute lymphocytic and granulocytic leukaemia. The plant has anticancer activity. It is also antiseptic, cathartic, emetic and purgative. Use the plant with caution. One seed capsule is said to cause catharsis, several to cause an abortion.
Abortifacient: Causes an abortion.
Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Warts: Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.
Other
Rating: 3
A fine clear oil is obtained from the seed. Yields of 42% have been obtained. The oil rapidly goes rancid and acquires a dangerous acrimony. It is a violent poison, producing violent purging and irritation to the intestines. It can be used medicinally when fresh. A latex in the leaves can be converted into vehicle fuel. Reports suggest potential yields of fuel ranging from 5 to 125 barrels per hectare. 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. Dynamic accumulator.
Biomass: Provides a large quantity of plant material that can be converted into fuel etc.
Latex: A source of rubber.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
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
Prefers a light well-drained soil in an open position. Prefers a dry soil but grows almost anywhere. Often self-sows freely. Formerly cultivated for its fruit - for the oil contained in the fruit according to another report. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. This genus has been singled out as a potential source of latex (for making rubber) for the temperate zone, though no individual species has been singled out.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual/Biennial
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
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. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature. The seed is also poisonous.