Accession Data:
Euphorbia virosa ssp. virosa Willd.
subg. Euphorbia sect. Euphorbia
- Common Name: Gifnoors
- Family: Euphorbiaceae Juss.
- Country of Origin: S Angola, Namibia, N RSA
- Habitat: Stony and sandy soils, on coastal rocky slopes, at up to 680 m altitude
- Description: Shrubby or tree-like species ranging from the Cape Region through Namibia and into Angola. Stems are 4-5 angled and bordered with pairs of spines. The main central stem often spirals but the branches rarely (or never) do.
This species is a host for the root parasite Hydnora africana.
This species forms clumps about a meter in diameter with a very extensive root system to take advantage of the heavy fogs of the Namib Desert.
- Uses: The Gogo of East Africa and bushmen of Namaqualand have used the latex of this species as an arrow poison. "However the latex is so irritant that man has tended to leave this species strictly alone."
Accession Data:
- Accession # 198900028
- Source: Unknown
- Accession Date: 12-31-1989
- Bench: 2206 - XER:Namib / Karoo C
- Currently: active - healthy
- Qty: 1 confirmed on 03-31-2025
- Restrictions:
- Poisonous Plant Parts - Not for Human Consumption
- CITES Appendix II Listed Plant
- Poisonous Plant Parts - Not for Human Consumption
Classification:
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- SubClass: eurosid I
- Order: Malpighiales
- SubOrder:
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- SubFamily: Euphorbioideae
- Tribe: Euphorbieae
- SubTribe: Euphorbiinae
Flowering Data:
This accession has been observed in bloom on:| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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References (internal):
- EEB Greenhouse Holdings native to: Angola / Cape Provinces / Namibia
References (external):
- The Euphorbia Journal, Vol 1, pg 120, Strawberry Press, 1983
- Horwood, F. K., Two parasites of Euphorbia: Viscum minimum and Hydnora africana, The Euphorbia Journal, Vol 1, pg 45-8, Strawberry Press, 1983
- Mitich, L., The Succulent Euphorbias: Poisonous and Medicinal, The Euphorbia Journal, Vol 2, pg 62, Strawberry Press, 1984
- Personal Communication with Frank Vincentz, International Euphorbia Society - 4 JAN 2006
- Euphorbia virosa ssp. virosa in Euphorbia Planetary Biodiversity Inventory. Accessed 13 August 2015.
data regenerated on Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:39:04 -0400 [bcm v4.0]
Images:
Additional images for this accession:
Click on thumbnails to enlargeCurrent Accessions in the Euphorbiaceae
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= indicates flowering in past 14 days
= images available for this accession
= map available for this accession
= accession added within past 90 days