Euphorbia damarana

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids I
Ordo: Malpighiales

Familia: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamilia: Euphorbioideae
Tribus: Euphorbieae
Subtribus: Euphorbiinae
Genus: Euphorbia
Subgenus: E. subg. Euphorbia
Sectio: E. sect. Tirucalli
Species: Euphorbia damarana
Name

Euphorbia damarana L.C.Leach, 1975
Synonyms

Homotypic
Tirucalia damarana (L.C.Leach) P.V.Heath, Calyx 5: 89 (1996).

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Africa
Regional: Southern Africa
Angola; Cape Provinces; Namibia

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Leach, L.C., 1975. Bothalia. A Record of Contributions from the National Herbarium, Union of South Africa'. Pretoria 11:500.

Additional references

Govaerts, R. et al. (2000). World checklist and bibliography of Euphorbiaceae. (L Euphorb)
Linnaeus, C. 1753. Species plantarum, exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas. Tomus I. Pp. [I–XII], 1–560. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae [Stockholm]. BHL Reference page. :

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Euphorbia damarana in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2020 Jun 25. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2020. Euphorbia damarana. Published online. Accessed: Jun 25 2020.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Euphorbia damarana in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2020 Jun 25. Reference page.
Tropicos.org 2020. Euphorbia damarana. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 25 Jun 2020.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Euphorbia damarana in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 08-Apr-12.

Vernacular names

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

"Damara Milk Bush". Niamibian.org. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
"The exotic plant endemic to Kunene". Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
Schmelzer, Gabriëlla Harriët (2008). Medicinal Plants. PROTA Foundation. ISBN 9789057822049. Retrieved April 1, 2013.