Euphorbia poissonii

Euphorbia poissonii is a species of Euphorbia, a large genus of flowering plants in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It is commonly known as Poisson's Euphorbia or Nigerian sand spurge. This plant is native to the northern regions of Nigeria and Niger, where it grows in arid, sandy environments.

Description

Euphorbia poissonii is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 2.5 meters in height. Its stems are cylindrical and covered in small, sharp spines. The leaves are small, oval-shaped, and fall off during the dry season. The flowers, or cyathia, are small and greenish-yellow in color.

Toxicity

Euphorbia poissonii is notable for its high toxicity. The plant produces a milky sap, or latex, that contains a potent skin irritant and carcinogen known as diterpene esters. The most potent of these is resiniferatoxin, or RTX, which is one of the most powerful known capsaicinoids and is used in research on pain and inflammation.

Uses

Despite its toxicity, Euphorbia poissonii has been used in traditional medicine in its native regions. The latex has been used to treat skin conditions, and the roots have been used to treat digestive disorders. However, due to the high toxicity of the plant, its use is generally not recommended without proper knowledge and precautions.

Conservation

Euphorbia poissonii is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, like many desert plants, it may be threatened by climate change and habitat loss.

See also

• List of Euphorbia species
• Resiniferatoxin

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  Euphorbia poissonii at the Food and Agriculture Museum, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan