 |
|
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euphorbia_lathyris_Sturm33.jpg |
 |
| http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euphorbia_lathyris6_ies.jpg |
Translate this page:
Summary
Physical Characteristics
Euphorbia lathyris is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained 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 or moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Oil Seed
Edible Uses: Oil
The seed has been used as a substitute for capers. It is very acrid and requires long steeping in salt and water, and afterwards in vinegar[2]. Great caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
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.
Abortifacient Antiseptic Cancer Diuretic Emetic Purgative Warts
Caper spurge was used in the past as a violent purgative, whilst the rubefacient action of the leaves was employed by beggars to raise unsightly sores on their skins to elicit pity and thereby obtain more money[254]. All parts of the plant are emetic and purgative[4, 7, 21] and the plant is nowadays considered to be far too toxic for it to be used medicinally[238]. The latex in the stems has been used externally as a depilatory and to remove corns, but it is too irritant to be used safely[7, 254]. The seed is diuretic, parasiticide and purgative[176, 218]. It has been used in the treatment of dropsy, oedema, tumours, amenorrhoea, schistosomiasis, scabies and snake bites[176, 240]. The fresh seed has an antitumor action, effective against acute lymphocytic and granulocytic leukaemia[176]. The plant has anticancer activity[218]. It is also antiseptic, cathartic, emetic and purgative[218]. Use the plant with caution[4, 7, 21]. One seed capsule is said to cause catharsis, several to cause an abortion[207].
References More on Medicinal Uses
The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books
Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.
Edible Tropical Plants
Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
Edible Temperate Plants
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
More Books
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.
Shop Now
Other Uses
Biomass Latex Oil Repellent
A fine clear oil is obtained from the seed[4, 74]. Yields of 42% have been obtained[240]. The oil rapidly goes rancid and acquires a dangerous acrimony[4]. It is a violent poison, producing violent purging and irritation to the intestines[4]. It can be used medicinally when fresh[4]. A latex in the leaves can be converted into vehicle fuel[160]. Reports suggest potential yields of fuel ranging from 5 to 125 barrels per hectare[218]. The growing plant is said to repel mice and moles, this is said to be most effective in its second year of growth though lots of reports cast doubt on this ability[18, 21, 54, 160]. Dynamic accumulator.
Special Uses
Dynamic accumulator
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers a light well-drained soil in an open position[200]. Prefers a dry soil but grows almost anywhere[1]. Often self-sows freely[1, 17]. Formerly cultivated for its fruit[17] - for the oil contained in the fruit according to another report[74]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. This genus has been singled out as a potential source of latex (for making rubber) for the temperate zone, though no individual species has been singled out[141].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).
Shop Now
Plant Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: China (mountainous regions) EUROPE: Greece, Italy (incl. Sardinia), France (Corse)
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.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Acalypha australis | Asian copperleaf | Annual | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 1 | |
| Alchornea castaneifolia | Iporuru | Tree | 8.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | MWe | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Alchornea cordifolia | Christmas Bush | Shrub | 8.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | DMWe | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Aleurites cordata | Japan Wood-Oil Tree | Tree | 7.0 |
9-11
| | LM | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Aleurites fordii | Tung Tree, Tung Oil Tree, Wood Oil Tree China | Tree | 7.0 |
8-10
| F | LM | SN | M | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Aleurites moluccanus | Candle Nut, Country Walnut | Tree | 20.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Caryodendron orinocense | Taccy Nut, Nuez de Barinas | Tree | 25.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Chrozophora tinctoria | Dyer's Croton, Giradol | Perennial | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Cnidoscolus aconitifolius | Tree Spinach, Tread Softly, Cabbage Star, Chaya | Shrub | 5.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Cnidoscolus elasticus | Highland chilte | Shrub | 1.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Croton lechleri | Sangre De Grado, Dragon's blood | Tree | 12.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Croton megalocarpus | Croton tree | Tree | 25.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | N | M | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Croton palanostigma | Sangre De Grado, Dragon's blood | Tree | 12.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | N | M | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Croton salutaris | Sangre De Grado, Dragon's blood | Tree | 12.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | N | M | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Croton tiglium | Croton Oil Plant. Croton, Purging croton. | Tree | 7.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Euphorbia abyssinica | Candelabra Spurge | Tree | 7.5 |
10-12
| M | LM | SN | D | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Euphorbia antisyphilitica | Candelilla | Shrub | 1.0 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Euphorbia corollata | Wild Spurge, Flowering spurge | Perennial | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Euphorbia drummondii | Caustic Weed | Annual | 0.2 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 0 | 1 | |
| Euphorbia esula | Leafy Spurge. Green spurge | Perennial | 1.0 |
3-9
| F | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Euphorbia helioscopia | Madwoman's Milk | Annual | 0.4 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 2 | |
| Euphorbia hirta | Asthma Weed, Pill-Bearing Spurge | Annual | 0.3 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 3 | |
| Euphorbia humifusa | | Annual | 0.2 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 2 | |
| Euphorbia intisy | Intisy, Pencil Plant | Shrub | 5.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | SN | D | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Euphorbia ipecacuanhae | American Ipec | | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 1 | |
| Euphorbia lactea | Mottled Spurge | Shrub | 5.0 |
10-11
| M | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Euphorbia marginata | Mountain Snow, Ghost Spurge, Ghost Weed | Annual | 0.6 |
4-8
| F | LM | N | DM | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Euphorbia neriifolia | Fleshy spurge, Hedge Euphorbia, Oleander spurge | Shrub | 4.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | SN | D | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Euphorbia pekinensis | Da Ji | Perennial | 0.6 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 0 | 3 | |
|
|
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.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
17200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment