Herb: Caustic Weed


Latin name: Euphorbia drummondii


Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)



Medicinal use of Caustic Weed:

Antirheumatic, astringent, skin.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual


Height:
20 cm
(7 3/4 inch)

Habitat of the herb:

A weed of disturbed ground and bare soils, especially clay soils, in all mainland states of Australia.

Propagation of Caustic Weed:

Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°C.

Cultivation of the herb:

A weed of disturbed ground and bare soils, especially clay soils, in all mainland states of Australia.

Known hazards of Euphorbia drummondii:

The sap contains a latex which is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially on contact with eyes or open cuts. The toxicity can remain high even in dried plant material. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.