Euphorbia granulata

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A small herb. The stems are 20 cm long. They are woody at the base and usually without branches. The leaves are opposite. The leaf blades are 1-8 mm long by 1-5 mm wide.

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

Where it is found

It grows in tropical and Mediterranean places. It grows in desert and semi desert up to 1,500 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the Sahara. It grows during the rainy season. In western China it grows in sandy soils and stony places at about 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Central Asia, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen

How it is used for food

Caution: All Euphorbias or spurges have irritating sap and many have chemicals that can cause cancer.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kantha arak, Kbidet eddub

Synonyms

Chamaesyce granulata (Forssk.) Sojak; Euphorbia bombaiensis sensu Stewart; Euphorbia granulata var. glabrata Boiss.; Euphorbia turcomanica Boiss.; and others