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Euphorbiaceae

Subfamily Acalyphoideae
Tribe Acalypheae

Subfamily Acalyphoideae
Tribe Plukenetieae

Subfamily Crotonoideae
Tribe Aleuritideae

Subfamily Crotonoideae
Tribe Codiaeae

Subfamily Crotonoideae
Tribe Jatropheae

Subfamily Crotonoideae
Tribe Manihoteae

Subfamily Crotonoideae
Tribe Micrandreae

Subfamily Euphorbioideae
Tribe Euphorbieae

Euphorbia virosa ssp. virosa Willd.

  • Query IPNI
  • Common Name:
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae Juss.

  • Country of Origin: S Angola, Namibia, N RSA
  • Habitat: Stony and sandy soils, on coastal rocky slopes, at up to 680 m altitude

  • Description: Shrubby or tree-like species ranging from the Cape Region through Namibia and into Angola. Stems are 4-5 angled and bordered with pairs of spines. The main central stem often spirals but the branches rarely (or never) do.

    This species is a host for the root parasite Hydnora africana.

    This species forms clumps about a meter in diameter with a very extensive root system to take advantage of the heavy fogs of the Namib Desert.

  • Uses: The Gogo of East Africa and bushmen of Namaqualand have used the latex of this species as an arrow poison. "However the latex is so irritant that man has tended to leave this species strictly alone."
Restrictions:

  • CITES Appendix II Listed Plant
Images of this accession: {and/or its current location}

 
 

Accession Data:

  • Accession # 198900028
  • Source: Unknown
  • Accession Date: 12-31-1989
  • Bench: 1314 - Euphorbiaceae
  • Qty: 2 confirmed on 09-03-2007
Classification:

  • Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • SubClass: eurosid I
  • Order: Malpighiales
  • SubOrder:
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • SubFamily: Euphorbioideae
  • Tribe: Euphorbieae
  • SubTribe: Euphorbiinae
References:

The Euphorbia Journal, Vol 1, pg 120, Strawberry Press, 1983 Horwood, F. K., Two parasites of Euphorbia: Viscum minimum and Hydnora africana, The Euphorbia Journal, Vol 1, pg 45-8, Strawberry Press, 1983 Mitich, L., The Succulent Euphorbias: Poisonous and Medicinal, The Euphorbia Journal, Vol 2, pg 62, Strawberry Press, 1984 Personal Communication with Frank Vincentz, International Euphorbia Society - 4 JAN 2006

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