Euphorbia virosa
Euphorbia virosa, the Gifboom or poison tree, is a plant of the spurge family Euphorbiaceae. It has a short main stem, usually twisted, from which 5–10 cm branches emerge. These leafless branches have 5 to 8 edges. Paired thorns grow in regularly spaced intervals from the edges.[1]
| Euphorbia virosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: | Euphorbia |
| Species: | E. virosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Euphorbia virosa Willd. | |
Euphorbia virosa is commonly distributed from the Orange River in South Africa to Southern Angola, and occurs throughout the Namib Desert, mainly on rocky slopes.[2] The plant contains within the branches a milky and creamy substance with carcinogenic properties. This substance is very poisonous and is used by San (Bushmen) to dip the tips of their hunting arrows. Contact with it causes skin irritation, and if the eyes are afflicted, blindness may occur.[1]
Gifboom in a natural setting at the Fish River Canyon
References
- Descriptions and articles about Euphorbia virosa - Encyclopedia of Life
- Burke, Antje (2012). 111 Roadside plants. Windhoek: Namibia Scientific Society. p. 147. ISBN 978-99945-76-51-7.
External links
- "Euphorbia virosa". Desert-tropicals. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
- "Euphorbia virosa". The Cactus and succulent plant mall. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
- "Euphorbia virosa in Spain". La Guía de Plantas (in Spanish). Retrieved 2010-02-15.
- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Euphorbia virosa". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.
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