Euphorbia damarana
| Euphorbia damarana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Bush in Namibia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: | Euphorbia |
| Species: | E. damarana |
| Binomial name | |
| Euphorbia damarana L.C.Leach | |
Euphorbia damarana also known as Damara milk-bush and locally as melkbos is a species of flowering plant native to Namibia.
Taxonomy
Euphorbia damarana was described by Leslie Charles Leach and published in Bothalia 11: 500. 1975.
Appearance
The plant consists of slender and grey stems growing up to a height of 2.5 meters.[1] Yellow-brown capsules appear at the tips of the plant during the fruiting season.[1] The plants may not bear fruit as individual plants are either male or female.[1]
Toxicity
The plant is regarded as one of the most toxic plants in Namibia, but specific studies into its toxicity are not known. It has been reported that the toxic milky latex of the plant is capable of killing animals and humans except rhino and oryx who feed upon it.[2] It has been reported that if you have an open wound and come into contact with the plant its poison could kill you.[2] Another story implicated it in the deaths of 11 Oshiwambo-speaking miners at the Uis Tin Mine after consuming food cooked over a fire of Euphorbia damarana.[2]
A noted use is to contaminate watering holes with the plant's latex to poison and catch game which drink from the watering hole.[3] The plant's toxic latex is highly irritating to skin and mucous membranes.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 "Damara Milk Bush". Niamibian.org. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "The exotic plant endemic to Kunene". Retrieved April 1, 2013.
- 1 2 Schmelzer, Gabriëlla Harriët. Medicinal Plants. PROTA Foundation. Retrieved April 1, 2013.