Cactus spurge, Royle's spurge
Euphorbia royleana

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows to 5 m high. The branches are 5-7 angled. They have wavy ridges. The leaves have short stalks. There are a pair of spines at the base. The leaves are fleshy with round tips. They narrow towards the base. The flowers are yellowish. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves.

Most Euphorbias have sap which irritates the skin.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal the plants grow to about 2800 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia

How it is used for food

Caution: All Euphorbias or spurges have irritating sap and many have chemicals that can cause cancer. The tender stem is peeled and the pith boiled and pickled. The young shoots are boiled and then cut into small pieces and added to yoghurt.

Edible parts

Stem, flowers

How it is grown

It can be grown from stem cuttings. It is grown as a hedge plant.

Its other names

Local names

Danda-thor, Shakarpitan, Siudi, Siundi, Sru, Suli, Syuri, Thor

Synonyms

Euphorbia pentagona Royle;