Euphorbia caducifolia

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Euphorbia caducifolia
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Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. caducifolia
Binomial name
Euphorbia caducifolia

Euphorbia caducifolia is a subtropical succulent species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is found in India where 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 , , 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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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