Accession Data
Euphorbia virosa ssp. virosa
Common Name: Gifnoors
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Country of Origin: S Angola, Namibia, N RSA
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
Accession Date: 1989-12-31 00:00:00
Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering
Location: 2206
Quantity: 1
Source: Unknown
Classification
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: eurosid I
Order: Malpighiales
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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| 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References
- 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.
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