Euphorbia caducifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. caducifolia
Binomial name
Euphorbia caducifolia
Haines[1]

Euphorbia caducifolia is a subtropical succulent species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is found in the arid regions of northwestern Indian subcontinent. In India it is known as the leafless milk hedge.[2]

Description

Euphorbia caducifolia forms a dense, branching bush up to 3 m (10 ft) high and 10 m (33 ft) in diameter. The succulent stems branch frequently and tend to grow vertically. It has small oval leaves some 2.5 to 8 cm (1 to 3 in) long and 2.5 cm (1 in) wide, but these soon fall. Spines on the stipules are up to 1 cm (0.4 in) long. E. caducifolia resembles the leafy milk hedge (Euphorbia nivulia) but differs in having multiple stems, and smaller, more transitory leaves. The flowers are orange-red and appear in February and March.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Euphorbia caducifolia has a rather limited distribution in the Thar Desert in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, on the boundary between India and Pakistan.[1] This is an area of sandy hills and shifting sand dunes, with clumps of thorny vegetation, low trees, grasses and scrub.[3]

Ecology

In southern Rajasthan, some of the hills are well clad with vegetation, and there Euphorbia caducifolia is associated with Butea monosperma, Millettia pinnata , Syzygium hyrianium, Wrightia tinctoria and Ziziphus nummularia. In the arid region near Sambhar Salt Lake, it is associated with thorny scrub such as Anogeissus pendula and Boswellia.[4]

Uses

The latex of Euphorbia caducifolia has been used in Pakistan as an anti-tumour agent, and the roots are also said to have anti-tumour properties.[5] The latex has also been used historically to promote the healing of wounds, and research has shown that it does indeed exhibit significant wound healing activity.[6] The plant is also a rich source of hydrocarbons (C-15 compounds) that can be processed to produce a biodiesel fuel.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 Hussain, S. Sadr-Uddin & Qadir, S. A. (1970). "An autecological study of Euphorbia caducifolia Haines". Vegetatio. 20 (5/6): 329–380. doi:10.1007/BF01960959. JSTOR 20035520. S2CID 46441117.
  2. 1 2 "Leafless milk hedge". Flowers of India. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  3. ↑ "The Thar Desert". Geography Revision. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  4. ↑ Sharma, B.K.; Kulshreshtha, Seema & Rahmani, Asad R. (2013). Faunal Heritage of Rajasthan, India: Conservation and Management of Vertebrates. Springer Science and Business Media. pp. 82, 182. ISBN 9783319013459.
  5. ↑ Maffei, Massimo (2003). Dietary Supplements of Plant Origin. CRC Press. p. 217. ISBN 9780203027097.
  6. ↑ Goyal, Manoj; Nagori, B.P. & Sasmal, D. (2012). "Wound healing activity of latex of Euphorbia caducifolia". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 144 (3): 786–790. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.10.006. PMID 23063754.
  7. ↑ Misra, K.K. (2001). Peoples and Environment in India. Discovery Publishing House. p. 85. ISBN 9788171415861.
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