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Common Name: Wild Spurge

General Information

Euphorbia corollata is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

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Range

Central N. America - Ontario to Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida and Texas

Habitat

Dry soils[] in fields and along roadsides[]. Clay soils in Texas[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a light well-drained moderately rich loam in an open position[]. Succeeds in dry soils[].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus[]. The ripe seed is released explosively from the seed capsules[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The dried root is an excellent purgative, though it sometimes causes vomiting, it opens the body when other more violent purgatives fail to move it[, , ]. The plant has irritating and uncertain qualities and so is seldom used in herbal medicine[].
A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of diabetes[].
An infusion of the bruised roots has been taken in the treatment of urinary diseases[].
The juice of the plant has been rubbed on the skin as a treatment for sores, eruptions etc, especially on children's heads[].
A decoction of the plant, mixed with other herbs (these are not specified) has been used in the treatment of cancer[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.