Euphorbia trigona Mill.

Pohon susu afrika (Euphorbia trigona) is a succulent shrub or tree up to 1.8 meters tall from the Euphorbiaceae family that originates from Gabon and Angola. Its unique shape makes it a popular ornamental, hedge, and potted plant in tropical regions. Pohon susu afrika is sometimes taken from the wild for local medicine, believed to help address severe constipation and urinary tract infections.

Euphorbia trigona prefers to grow in full sun conditions, but can tolerate moderate shade. This species appears to grow in almost any soil with pH ranging from 6.1-7.8. Average annual temperature 10-30 °C.

• Stem has milky latex, triangular shape (has 3 angles), thorns 3 mm, divergent, rough.
• Leaves up to 2.5 mm, ovate, rough.
• Flowers cyathia solitary or in clusters, bracts about 3.5 x 4 mm, ovate, blunt, toothed, glands 5 up to 2.2 mm, flower stalk about 2.5 mm, ovate, appearing at the tip of the plant, numerous stamens, filaments jointed, 2.6 mm; female flowers upright, ovary about 3.7 mm, 3-celled, 3 styles, 1 ovule.
• Fruit a capsule up to 7 mm, 3-lobed, 3.5 mm, obovate.

Propagation is done vegetatively with stem cuttings and fragments.

Alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, tannin, 8-methoxyingol ester, lectin, ingol-type diterpenoid.

Addresses cases of severe constipation, epileptic seizures, urinary tract infections, relieves symptoms of inflammation, has strong erythrocyte agglutination capability. Has antimicrobial and immunostimulant activity.

Susuru.