Euphorbia hylonoma is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to China and the Far East of Russia (Primorsky krai). It grows on roadsides, valleys, mountain slopes, grasslands, steppes, scrub, sparse forests at elevations of 2,000–3,000 metres (6,600–9,800 ft).[1] This herbaceous plant is erect, reaching a height of 50–90 cm (20–35 in). It has thick roots measuring over 10 cm (3.9 in) in length and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) in diameter. The stem is branched at the top and has a thickness of 3–7 mm (0.12–0.28 in). The leaves are alternate, oblong to elliptic, with a size range of 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) × 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in). The flowers are grouped in cyathia, with male flowers extending beyond the involucre and female flowers having pedicels. The capsule is globose and smooth, and the seeds are ovoid-globose, gray or light brown in color, and have a slightly striated surface. Flowering from April to June.[2]

Euphorbia hylonoma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. hylonoma
Binomial name
Euphorbia hylonoma

The root of the plant is used in Chinese folk medicine to relieve constipation, bloating, cirrhosis of the liver. The roots are dug out and dried in the sun in the fall.[3] The milky latex of the plant is toxic and can cause irritation on contact with the skin.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Wu, Z. (n.d.). yun nan zhi wu zhi (Vol. 10, p. 952). Retrieved from https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/112956
  2. ^ Brotherus, V. F. (Viktor Ferdinand), & in Wien., A. der W. (1929). Symbolae sinicae :botanische Ergebnisse der Expedition der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wein nach Südwest-China, 1914-1918 (Vol. 7 pts1–3, p. 761). Retrieved from https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/733344
  3. ^ Fang, Z. &. L. C. 方志先,廖朝林. (n.d.). hu bei en shi yao yong zhi wu zhi 湖北恩施药用植物志 (p. 736). Retrieved from https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/36802879
  4. ^ Gan, Q. (n.d.). zhu xi zhi wu zhi (p. 1320). Retrieved from https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/112958