Euphorbia umbellata
Euphorbia umbellata
Safety & Hazards
The plant has long been recognized as being very toxic and irritant. Contact of the latex with the skin or mucous membranes will cause a burning sensation, dermatitis and blisters. Symptoms may not be developed immediately and can be delayed for hours[1]. The latex can be fatal if ingested and is also used as a fish poison[1]. In Rwanda the latex is an ingredient of arrow poison[1]. In Kenya and Tanzania the plant is sometimes used for criminal purposes[1].
Cultivation Details
A xerophytic plant that thrives on rocky hills with dry open woodland in the east African uplands, at elevations from 900- 2,100 metres, with an annual rainfall of 600 - 900mm[1]. Excessive rainfall and cold conditions cause the stem to rot[1]. In cultivation Euphorbia umbellata is moderately slow-growing, growing faster in warm tropical conditions with abundant rainfall. Under garden conditions at high altitudes, it can reach 3 metres in height in 5 years[1].
Propagation
Seed - easily propagated from seed, stem cuttings and root cuttings. Fresh cuttings should be dipped in charcoal dust to stop the leaking of latex and should be planted in sand to root[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Euphorbia+umbellata>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. — http://www.prota.org ↩︎An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
- [2]African Flowering Plants Database — Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques. · http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php ↩︎Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.