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Euphorbia neriifolia - L.

Common Name Fleshy spurge, Hedge Euphorbia, Oleander spurge
Family Euphorbiaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards The plant is poisonous and skin contact with the sap can cause blistering[302 ]. The leaves and roots have been used as a fish poison[310 ].
Habitats The plant is only known in cultivation[582 ].
Range E. Asia - S. China, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Guinea.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Semi-shade Full sun
Euphorbia neriifolia Fleshy spurge, Hedge Euphorbia, Oleander spurge


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Euphorbia neriifolia Fleshy spurge, Hedge Euphorbia, Oleander spurge
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Euphorbia neriifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Elaeophorbia neriifolia (L.) A.Chev. Euphorbia edulis Lour. Euphorbia ligularia Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. Euphorbia pentagona Blanco Euphorbia pentagona Noronha Tithymalus edulis (Lour.) H.Karst.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[310 ]. When boiled with syrup, the leaves and slices of the branches can be made into sweetmeats[310 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


A latex obtained from the plant is diuretic, purgative, rubefacient and vermifuge. It is used in the treatment of asthma[310 , 582 ]. A syrup consisting of equal parts of the latex of this plant with a simple syrup; administered in doses of 10 - 20 drops three times a day; has been found to relieve asthma attacks completely[582 ]. The latex is applied externally on haemorrhoids; is used to relieve sore throat and cracked lips; to treat gonorrhoea; and also to remove warts and cutaneous eruptions[310 ]. The bark has been used as a strong purgative[310 ]. The root is considered antiseptic[310 ]. Mixed with black pepper, it is employed in the treatment of snake bites both internally and externally[582 ]. The leaves are diuretic[582 ]. The leaves are heated, squeezed, and the sap taken, sometimes with salt, to treat asthma; wheezing in babies; colds; and stomach upset[310 , 348 , 582 ]. The leaves are also used to treat fevers, coughs and colds, and diabetes[348 ]. Applied externally, the sap is used to treat infected nails and to relieve earaches[310 , 348 , 582 ]. The plant has been shown to contain terpenes, anthocyanins, alcohols and steroids[348 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Agroforestry Uses: A prickly plant, easily propagated by cuttings, it is sometimes grown as a live fence or hegde where it can keep out livestock[310 ]. Other Uses: A latex is obtained from the plant[310 ]. It is smeared onto cuts made by tappers in the bark of Borassus flabellifer, in order to prevent attacks by red weevil[310 ]. The nicely figured and aromatic wood is used for small objects such as knife handles[310 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Agroforestry Services: Living fence  Management: Coppice  Minor Global Crop

Prefers a positition in full sun[302 ], but also succeeds in light shade[423 ]. Requires a well-drained soil[302 ], growing well in dry, often rocky places[310 ]. The plant flowers intermittantly throughout the year[302 ].

Carbon Farming

  • Agroforestry Services: Living fence  Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
  • Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
  • Minor Global Crop  These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - Cuttings. They need to be allowed to dry for a few days before being potted up in the rooting medium[K ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Akujemudu, Gangichu, Hiju, Hildaona, Ilai-kalli, Illakalli, Mansasij, Mingut, Minguta, Neyadunga, Pattonkisend, Sehund, Shazaung-myin-na, Snuhi, Ta-zaung, Thohar, Thor, Toora, Tuaria, Yalekalli, Zizaung. Indian Spurge Tree, Oleander Spurge, Dog's Tongue, Common Milk-hedge, Hedge Euphorbia, Oleander Spurge, Oleander Leafed Euphorbia, Milkbush, Holy Milk Hedge, Hedge Euphorbia. HINDI: Thor, Patton ki send. KANNADA: Yelekalli. MARATHI: Neya-dungra. RUSSIAN (_______): _______ _______________. SWEDISH (Svenska): Oleandereuforbia

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, Australia, China, Haiti, Hawaii, India*, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, USA, Vietnam.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

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123

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Links / References

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A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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