- Euphorbia virosa
Taxobox
name = "Euphorbia virosa"
image_width = 250px
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Malpighiales
familia =Euphorbiaceae
genus = "Euphorbia "
species = "E. virosa"
binomial = "Euphorbia virosa""Euphorbia virosa" is a
plant of the spurge familyEuphorbiaceae . It has a short main stem, usually twisted, from which 5-10 cm branches emerge. These leafless branches have 5 to 8 edges. Paired thorns grow in regularly spaced intervals from the edges."Euphorbia virosa" is commonly distributed from the
Orange River inSouth Africa to SouthernAngola , occupying mainly arid areas inNamibia . The plant contains within the branches a milky and creamy substance with carcinogenic properties. This substance is verypoison ous and is used byBushmen to dip the tips of their hunting arrows. Contact with it causes skin irritation, and if the eyes are afflicted, blindness may occur.
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