''Euphorbia caducifolia'' is a subtropical
succulent species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
in the family
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants. In English, they are also commonly called euphorbias, which is also the name of a genus in the family. Most spurges, such as '' Euphorbia paralias'', are herbs, but some, ...
. It is found in India where it is known as the leafless milk hedge.
Description
''Euphorbia caducifolia'' forms a dense, branching bush up to high and in diameter. The succulent stems branch frequently and tend to grow vertically. It has small oval leaves some long and wide, but these soon fall. Spines on the stipules are up to long. ''E. caducifolia'' resembles the leafy milk hedge (''
Euphorbia nivulia
''Euphorbia nivulia'' is a subtropical succulent species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is found in the Indian subcontinent and is commonly known as the leafy milk hedge, holy milk hedge or dog's tongue.
Description
''Euphor ...
'') but differs in having multiple stems, and smaller, more transitory leaves. The flowers are orange-red and appear in February and March.
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Distribution and habitat
''Euphorbia caducifolia'' has a rather limited distribution in the Thar Desert
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is an arid region in the north-western part of the Subcontinent that covers an area of and forms a natural boundary between India and Pakistan. It is the world's 20th-largest desert, a ...
in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, on the boundary between India and Pakistan.
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
''Wrightia tinctoria'', Pala indigo plant or dyer's oleander, is a flowering plant species in the genus ''Wrightia'' found in India, southeast Asia and Australia. It is found in dry and moist regions in its distribution. Various parts of the plan ...
'' and '' Ziziphus nummularia''. In the arid region near Sambhar Salt Lake, it is associated with thorny scrub such as '''' and ''Boswellia
''Boswellia'' is a genus of trees in the order Sapindales, known for its fragrant resin. The biblical incense frankincense is an extract from the resin of the tree '' Boswellia sacra'', and is now produced also from '' B. frereana''.
Frankincens ...
''.
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. 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. The plant is also a rich source of hydrocarbons (C-15 compounds) that can be processed to produce a biodiesel fuel.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5851474
caducifolia
Flora of the Indian subcontinent
Plants described in 1914