Euphorbia lathyris

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Euphorbia lathyris
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Hardiness:6
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:3'
Blooms:Late Spring-Early Summer
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Euphorbia lathyris (common name: caper spurge)

Propagation: Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c.

Cultivation: Prefers a light well-drained soil in an open position[1]. Prefers a dry soil but grows almost anywhere[2].

Often self-sows freely[2][3].

Formerly cultivated for its fruit[3] - for the oil contained in the fruit according to another report[4].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[5].

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[6].

Range: Europe. Possibly native to Britain but more common as a garden escape.

Habitat: Woods, avoiding acid soils[3].

Edibility: 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[7]. Great caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal: 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[8]. All parts of the plant are emetic and purgative[9][10][11] and the plant is nowadays considered to be far too toxic for it to be used medicinally[12].

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[10][8].

The seed is diuretic, parasiticide and purgative[13][14]. It has been used in the treatment of dropsy, oedema, tumours, amenorrhoea, schistosomiasis, scabies and snake bites[13][15]. The fresh seed has an antitumor action, effective against acute lymphocytic and granulocytic leukaemia[13].

The plant has anticancer activity[14]. It is also antiseptic, cathartic, emetic and purgative[14].

Use the plant with caution[9][10][11]. One seed capsule is said to cause catharsis, several to cause an abortion[16].

Usage: A fine clear oil is obtained from the seed[9][4]. Yields of 42% have been obtained[15]. The oil rapidly goes rancid and acquires a dangerous acrimony[9]. It is a violent poison, producing violent purging and irritation to the intestines[9]. It can be used medicinally when fresh[9].

A latex in the leaves can be converted into vehicle fuel[17]. Reports suggest potential yields of fuel ranging from 5 to 125 barrels per hectare[14].

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][11][19][17].

Pollinators: Flies

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Late Summer

Flower Type: Monoecious

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[200

Links

References

  1. ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
  5. ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
  6. ↑ Carruthers, S. Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading, 1986.
  7. ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
  12. ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
  16. ↑ Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Natural Food Institute. Wonder Crops 1987.
  18. ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
  19. ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.


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