Euphorbia prostrata
Aiton
Prostrate spurge
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Summary
Source: WikipediaEuphorbia prostrata is a species of spurge known by the common name prostrate spurge or prostrate sandmat. It is native to the Caribbean and certain parts of South America. It is widely naturalized in many other parts of the world, where it can be found in varied habitat types and in many areas grows as a roadside weed.
Description
A herb. It is low growing and occurs in lawns and gardens. It is 5-20 cm long. The leaves are 2-9 mm long and 1-5 mm wide.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The leaves are eaten.
Medicinal Uses
Euphorbia prostrata extract has been found effective for treatment of bleeding hemorrhoids due to its contents of flavonoids, phenolics and phenolic acids. Euphorbia prostrata extract tablets have been marketed in India and the US by Panacea Biotec Ltd.
Known Hazards
The latex is used as an arrow poison.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,200 m above sea level in Costa Rica.
Where It Grows
Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andaman Is., Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canary Is., Central America, Chad, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Congo R, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti,Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, French Guiana, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hawai, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kiribati, Jamaica, Japan, Liberia, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Narau, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Is., North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Spain, St Helena, Sudan, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
The plant is a prolific seed producer. Most seeds will germinate at the same time when ecological conditions are favourable, especially during the rainy season. It is considered a weed, and can be a nuisance in crops due to the large number of seedlings. Euphorbia prostrata grows rapidly, flowering and producing fruits just 12 - 14 weeks after germination. It can be found flowering and fruiting throughout the year if enough water is available.
Other Uses
The plant is known to accumulate heavy metals from the soil.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Toto fifine
References (4)
- Dobriyal, M. J. R. & Dobriyal, R., 2014, Non Wood Forest Produce an Option for Ethnic Food and Nutritional Security in India. Int. J. of Usuf. Mngt. 15(1):17-37
- Kew Plants of the World Online
- Parham, B. E. V., 1971, The Vegetation of the Tokelau Islands with special reference to the Plants of Nukunonu Atoll. New Zealand Journal of Botany. 9:4, 576-609
- Topp, J. M. W., 1988, An Annotated Check List of the Flora of Diego Garcia, British Ocean Territory. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 313
