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Euphorbia serpyllifolia
  • Thymeleaf Sandmat

an annual member of the Euphorbia genus in the family Euphorbiaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Euphorbia serpyllifolia has 0 edible uses listed
Euphorbia serpyllifolia has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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[1]. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Root - cooked. They are chewed (by women!) and then mixed with corn meal to sweeten it[3]. One report says that the women would keep the root in their mouths for two days, only taking it out when taking refreshments or sleeping. At the end of that time as much cornmeal as possible was placed in the mouth and held there, without chewing, until the build-up of saliva forced ejection of the mass[4]. (Saliva contains certain enzymes that convert starches to sugars and so it will sweeten corn meal on its own[K].) The chewed root acts like a yeast preparation and has been used in making cakes[4]. The root can be dried for later use[4].

The root has been fermented to make an intoxicating drink[4]. The leaves are used for chewing[3][5]. They have a pleasant taste[4].

All these uses should be viewed with some caution, see the notes above on toxicity.

Unknown part

Drink

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Euphorbia serpyllifolia.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Thymeleaf sandmat was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[4]. It is not normally used in modern herbalism and any use of this plant should be done with great care because of its potentially toxic nature[K].

A decoction of the plant has been used to encourage milk flow in nursing mothers and to treat diarrhoea, stomach aches[4]. Externally, the decoction has been used as a wash on running sores and poison ivy rash[4]. A poultice of the plant has been applied to rattlesnake bites - this must be done immediately after being bitten if it is to be effective[4]. A poultice made from the chewed plant has been applied to cuts to stop the bleeding[4]. The heated poultice has been used to treat toothache[4]. The dried leaves have been rubbed into scratches on the abdomen to treat dysentery and bloating in children[4].

The sap has been used to treat warts[4]. The sap needs to be applied at least once a day and will take some time to be effective.

Unknown part

Galactogogue
Haemostatic
Odontalgic
Poultice
Skin
Stings
Stomachic
Warts

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Euphorbia serpyllifolia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. Other members of the genus prefer a light well-drained moderately rich loam in an open position[1]. Succeeds in dry soils[6].

Hybridizes with other members of this genus[1]. The ripe seed is released explosively from the seed capsules[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[7].

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[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Euphorbia serpyllifolia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Euphorbia serpyllifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Euphorbia serpyllifolia
Genus
Euphorbia
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[4]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[9][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.25 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

    "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society ISBN 1352-4186 (1994-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    4. ? 4.004.014.024.034.044.054.064.074.084.094.104.114.124.134.14 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading ISBN 0704909820 (1986-00-00)
    9. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
    10. ? Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)

    "image:Euphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Euphorbia_serpyllifolia&oldid=77268"
    Facts about "Euphorbia serpyllifolia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEuphorbiaceae +
    Belongs to genusEuphorbia +
    Has common nameThymeleaf Sandmat +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Root +
    Has edible useDrink + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has imageEuphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has mature height0.25 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useGalactogogue +, Haemostatic +, Odontalgic +, Poultice +, Skin +, Stings +, Stomachic + and Warts +
    Has primary imageEuphorbia serpyllifolia1.jpg +
    Has search nameeuphorbia serpyllifolia + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameEuphorbia serpyllifolia +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +