Balsam spurge
Euphorbia balsamifera

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A half succulent shrub. It grows 2-4 m high and spreads 90 cm wide. The stems are spineless and it has many branches. The stems become gnarled and grey. The leaves are pale green and occur in rings. They are near the tips of the branches. The leaves are 3-5 cm long by 6 mm wide. They are light green or bluish green. They do not have stalks and often fall off. The flowers occur singly. They are greenish-yellow. The fruit are round 3 part capsules. They are 10-12 mm across.

There are about 2000 Euphorbia species. Most Euphorbias have sap which irritates the skin.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs bright light but not intense heat. It grows in the Sahel. It often grows on cliff tops and dry slopes near the sea. It can grow in sandy sites. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 100-600 mm. It cannot tolerate frost. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Canary Islands, Central Africa, Chad, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Oman, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, Sudan, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

Caution: All Euphorbias or spurges have irritating sap and many have chemicals that can cause cancer. The shoots and leaves are eaten cooked. The juice is thickened to a jelly and eaten.

The young shoots are sucked especially by children.

Edible parts

Leaves, shoots, stems, gum, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings. It can be used for hedges.

Its other names

Local names

Aliyara, Kpagoboni, Ndamol, Salane, Sihoun

Synonyms

Euphorbia rogeri N. E. Br.; Euphorbia sepium N. E. Br.;