Rubber hedge
Euphorbia tirucalli

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A succulent shrub. It is branched and has an open crown. It does not have spines. It grows 2-6 m tall. The wood is moderately hard. The plant has an irritant white latex. There are only a few leaves.

Possibly edible but caution or treatment would be needed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open deciduous woodland. It suits hot dry areas. It grows between sea level to 1,525 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola (country/location of origin), Arabia, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ethiopia (country/location of origin), Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Marquesas, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Pacific, Pakistan, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Uganda, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Caution: It is poisonous. The leaves are used as a herbal tea.

It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Caution, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds. It is cultivated as a hedge plant. Cuttings of branches root easily.

Its other names

Local names

Dano, Eggamu murakka, Guang gun shu, Hejiyemukaka, Hundu kiruthona, Ingotsha, Ipupu, Kinchub, Lunsonga, Macussupu, Menjeve, Milk bush, Pencil plant, Patah tulang, Rubber euphorbia, Rusungwe

Synonyms

Euphorbia media N. E. Br.; Euphorbia rhipsaloides N. E. Br.; Euphorbia scoparia N. E. Br.;