Euphorbia caducifolia

Euphorbia caducifolia forms a dense, branching bush up to 3 m (10 ft) high and 10 m (33 ft) in diameter. The succulent stems branch frequently and tend to grow vertically. It has small oval leaves some 2.5 to 8 cm (1 to 3 in) long and 2.5 cm (1 in) wide, but these soon fall. Spines on the stipules are up to 1 cm (0.4 in) long. E. caducifolia resembles the leafy milk hedge (Euphorbia nivulia) but differs in having multiple stems, and smaller, more transitory leaves. The flowers are orange-red and appear in February and March.[2]

Euphorbia caducifolia has a rather limited distribution in the Thar Desert in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, on the boundary between India and Pakistan.[1] This is an area of sandy hills and shifting sand dunes, with clumps of thorny vegetation, low trees, grasses and scrub.[3]

In southern Rajasthan, some of the hills are well clad with vegetation, and there Euphorbia caducifolia is associated with Butea monosperma, Millettia pinnata , Syzygium hyrianium, Wrightia tinctoria and Ziziphus nummularia. In the arid region near Sambhar Salt Lake, it is associated with thorny scrub such as Anogeissus pendula and Boswellia.[4]

The latex of Euphorbia caducifolia has been used in Pakistan as an anti-tumour agent, and the roots are also said to have anti-tumour properties.[5] The latex has also been used historically to promote the healing of wounds, and research has shown that it does indeed exhibit significant wound healing activity.[6] The plant is also a rich source of hydrocarbons (C-15 compounds) that can be processed to produce a biodiesel fuel.[7]