Euphorbia serpyllifolia
| Euphorbia serpyllifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Euphorbia serpyllifolia (common name: thymeleaf sandmat)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. Other members of the genus prefer a light well-drained moderately rich loam in an open position[1]. Succeeds in dry soils[2].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus[1]. The ripe seed is released explosively from the seed capsules[1].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[3].
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[4].
Range: N. America - British Columbia to Michigan and Wisconsin, south to California, Texas and Mexico.
Habitat: Dry sandy or alluvial soils[5][6].
Edibility: Root - cooked. They are chewed (by women!) and then mixed with corn meal to sweeten it[7]. One report says that the women would keep the root in their mouths for two days, only taking it out when taking refreshments or sleeping. At the end of that time as much cornmeal as possible was placed in the mouth and held there, without chewing, until the build-up of saliva forced ejection of the mass[8]. (Saliva contains certain enzymes that convert starches to sugars and so it will sweeten corn meal on its own[K].) The chewed root acts like a yeast preparation and has been used in making cakes[8]. The root can be dried for later use[8].
The root has been fermented to make an intoxicating drink[8].
The leaves are used for chewing[7][9]. They have a pleasant taste[8].
All these uses should be viewed with some caution, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: Thymeleaf sandmat was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[8]. It is not normally used in modern herbalism and any use of this plant should be done with great care because of its potentially toxic nature[K].
A decoction of the plant has been used to encourage milk flow in nursing mothers and to treat diarrhoea, stomach aches[8]. Externally, the decoction has been used as a wash on running sores and poison ivy rash[8]. A poultice of the plant has been applied to rattlesnake bites - this must be done immediately after being bitten if it is to be effective[8].
A poultice made from the chewed plant has been applied to cuts to stop the bleeding[8]. The heated poultice has been used to treat toothache[8].
The dried leaves have been rubbed into scratches on the abdomen to treat dysentery and bloating in children[8].
The sap has been used to treat warts[8]. The sap needs to be applied at least once a day and will take some time to be effective.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
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
Also Known As: Chamaesyce serpyllifolia. (Pers.)Small.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Carruthers, S. Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading, 1986.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel and Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1970.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.