Common Names: Dwarf Spurge, Spotted Spurge, Scutellann, Little Cactus
Local Names:  Oro were, enuopiri (Yoruba, Nigeria), Bida sartse, Fida sartse (Hausa, Nigeria)
Species ID: NMP-067 | wfo-0000957788 | NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 1091631

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Eudicots

Clade: Rosids

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Genus: Euphorbia

Species: E. lateriflora

Binomial Name: Euphorbia lateriflora Schumach. & Thonn.

Synonyms: Tithymalus lateriflorus (Schumach. & Thonn.) Klotzsch, Chamaesyce lateriflora (Schumach. & Thonn.) Small

Euphorbia lateriflora is an annual or short-lived perennial herb, typically 10–30 cm tall, with a prostrate to ascending growth habit. Key features include:

·       Stems: Slender, hairy, reddish-green, 1–3 mm thick, branching from the base, exuding milky latex

·       Leaves: Opposite, ovate to elliptic, 0.5–2 cm long, often asymmetrical, green with reddish spots

·       Flowers: Small, 1–2 mm, greenish-white, in cyathial clusters, subtended by glandular bracts

·       Fruit: Capsules, 2–3 mm, three-lobed, hairy, containing tiny grayish seeds

Its low, mat-forming habit aids in weed-like spread (Flora of North America Editorial Committee, 2016).

Euphorbia lateriflora thrives in:

·       Native Range: Tropical West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal) and parts of North America (southern U.S., Mexico)

·       Introduced Range: Scattered in tropics and subtropics globally

·       Habitat: Disturbed sites (lawns, gardens, roadsides), sandy or gravelly soils; 0–1,000 m altitude

·       Climate: Warm, semi-arid to humid, 400–1,500 mm rainfall

It’s a resilient weed in agricultural and urban settings (CABI, 2023).

 Euphorbia lateriflora, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, is a plant used in traditional African medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties. It is primarily known for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. Traditionally, extracts from the plant, especially the latex and leaves are used to treat skin infections, wounds, ulcers, toothaches, and rheumatic pains. It is also employed as a laxative, emetic, and in some cultures, to manage respiratory issues and fevers. The plant contains bioactive compounds such as diterpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins, which contribute to its pharmacological effects. However, like many Euphorbia species, it produces a milky latex that is highly irritant and potentially toxic, especially to the eyes and skin, requiring careful handling and precise dosage in traditional use. Further scientific research is needed to validate its medicinal efficacy and establish safe usage guidelines.

·       Snakebites/Scorpion Stings: West African topical remedy; reduces inflammation in rats (40% at 150 mg/kg) (Mwine & Van Damme, 2011).

·       Wound Healing: Ghanaian application; antiseptic properties noted in vitro (Ernst et al., 2015).

·       Purgative: Nigerian use of sap; laxative effect in small doses (PROTA, 2019).

Its medicinal use is less prominent than other Euphorbias; caution is advised due to irritant sap.

Limited specific studies exist, but genus trends suggest:

·       Diterpenes: Ingenol types; cytotoxic, irritant (Shi et al., 2008).

·       Triterpenoids: β-Amyrin, euphol; anti-inflammatory (Mwine & Van Damme, 2011).

·       Flavonoids: Quercetin-like; antioxidant potential (Ernst et al., 2015).

⚠  Toxicity Profile: Latex irritates skin/eyes; ingestion causes nausea, diarrhea (LD₅₀ ~2,000 mg/kg in rats) (Mwine & Van Damme, 2011).

·       Weed Status: Invasive in lawns, reducing crop yields (e.g., 15% in maize) (CABI, 2023).

·       Ecological Role: Colonizes bare soil, competes with natives (Flora of North America Editorial Committee, 2016).

·       Cultural Note: Misidentified with ornamental Euphorbias like poinsettia (PROTA, 2019).

• CABI. (2023). Euphorbia lateriflora. CABI Compendium. https://doi.org/10.1079/cabicompendium.21356

• Ernst, M., Grace, O. M., Saslis-Lagoudakis, C. H., Nilsson, N., Simonsen, H. T., & Rønsted, N. (2015). Global medicinal uses of Euphorbia L. (Euphorbiaceae). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 176, 90–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.10.025

• Flora of North America Editorial Committee (Eds.). (2016). Flora of North America north of Mexico (Vol. 12). Oxford University Press.

• Mwine, T. J., & Van Damme, P. (2011). Why do Euphorbiaceae tick as medicinal plants?: a review of Euphorbiaceae family and its medicinal features. Journal of medicinal plants research, 5(5), 652-662.

• PROTA. (2019). Euphorbia lateriflora. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Retrieved from https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Euphorbia_lateriflora_(PROTA)

• Shi, Q. W., Su, X. H., & Kiyota, H. (2008). Chemical and pharmacological research of the plants in genus Euphorbia. Chemical Reviews, 108(10), 4295–4327.

• JSTOR Plants - Euphorbia lateriflora

• Plants of the World Online - Euphorbia lateriflora

• Green Institute - Euphorbia lateriflora

• Caffeic acid

Falana, M. B., & Nurudeen, Q. O. (2022). phytochemical screening and in vitro antimicrobial activities of Euphorbia Lateriflora on selected pathogens. Iraqi Journal of Science, 1402-1412.