Euphorbia drummondii
Caustic Weed
an annual member of the Euphorbia genus in the family Euphorbiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus
- Euphorbia
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The sap contains a latex which is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially on contact with eyes or open cuts. The toxicity can remain high even in dried plant material[4]. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature[5].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Antirheumatic, astringent, skin[2].
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Skin
Environment
- Range
- Australia.
- Habitat
- A weed of disturbed ground and bare soils, especially clay soils, in all mainland states of Australia[2][3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. Other members of this genus prefer a light well-drained moderately rich loam in an open position[4]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[4]. The ripe seed is released explosively from the seed capsules[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[6]. This genus has been singled out as a potential source of latex (for making rubber) for the temperate zone, although no individual species has been singled out[1].
References
Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820
Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants.
Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Stapleton. C. Bamboos of Bhutan Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-947643-67-2