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Summary
Physical Characteristics

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
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Agroforestry Services: Living fence
Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
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Management: Coppice
Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
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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
Temperature Converter
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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
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 lathyris | Caper Spurge, Moleplant | Annual/Biennial | 1.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Euphorbia marginata | Mountain Snow, Ghost Spurge, Ghost Weed | Annual | 0.6 |
4-8
| F | LM | N | DM | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Euphorbia pekinensis | Da Ji | Perennial | 0.6 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 0 | 3 | |
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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
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Euphorbia neriifolia
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