Red Caustic creeper
Euphorbia thymifolia

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

An annual spreading and much branched slender herb up to 20 cm long. The stems are usually reddish. The leaves are opposite and 4 to 7 mm long. The flowers are small and not easily noticed crowded on short branchlets in the axils of the leaves.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. A weed found throughout the Philippines in open waste places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central America, China, Costa Rica, East Africa, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South America, Suriname, Taiwan, Venezuela, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

The leaves and young shoots are edible cooked. 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

Choti-dudhi, Ghakdidudhi, Golandrina, Laghuduhika, Maahiruhui, Patra-siju, Reddivari manubala, Shwetkeruee, Sittrapaladi, Thyme-leaved spurge

Synonyms

Chamaesyce thymifolia (L.) MIllsp.;