Family: Euphorbiaceae
Origin, Description & Uses:
Euphorbia neriifolia, commonly known as hedge euphorbia or milk spurge, is a succulent shrub or small tree native to South Asia, particularly India and surrounding regions. It typically grows several meters tall and is characterized by thick, fleshy, cactus-like stems with prominent ridges and paired spines. The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers and exudes a milky latex when cut. It is often cultivated as a living fence or hedge due to its dense, spiny growth, and is also used ornamentally in dry landscapes. In traditional medicine systems, various parts of the plant have been used for their purported therapeutic properties, though care is required due to its toxic sap.
Risks & Threats:
Although Euphorbia neriifolia is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses traits that raise concern. Its ability to propagate easily from cuttings, tolerate drought, and form dense, spiny barriers could allow it to establish and spread in suitable environments. Like many spurges, its toxic latex can pose risks to people, pets, and livestock, and may deter grazing, potentially giving it a competitive advantage over other vegetation. At this time, further evaluation is needed to determine whether this species could become invasive or negatively impact Hawai‘i’s ecosystems, and caution is advised when considering its use in landscaping.
High Risk Traits:
- Grows in tropical climates
- Reported to be naturalized in a number of locations
- Related Euphorbia species have become invasive
- Spine-tipped leaves
- Sap toxic and an irritant to people and possibly also animals
- Tolerates many soil types
- Seeds dispersed by dehiscent capsules and people (but possibly rarely produced)
- Limited ecological information from native and introduced ranges makes accurate risk predications difficult
Low Risk Traits:
- Capsules and seeds rarely seen in introduced range. May limit potential for inadvertent dispersal
- Used medicinally and as a barrier plant
