Description

A semi-woody herb to about 1 m high from a creeping woody root-stock, of savanna and fringing forest, occurring from Guinea and Mali to Nigeria.All parts of the plant contain a viscid latex which can be drawn out into threads. Root-latex is vesicant and powerfully caustic. Ground up with a little water it is applied on a stick to produce red or black marks on the face, causing swelling and ultimately tattoo marks (2, 6). Sometimes it is used for ritual scarifications (2, 6). In some districts the leaf is crushed with a little water which is applied to women’s faces to make red or orange marks. In other places the more powerful root-latex is used. Boys raise blisters on the skin, Hausa boys, the while, reciting an imprecation a rege zunufin uwa to eliminate pre-natal evil influences (2). The extract of the pounded leaves is applied to guinea-worm sores or some drops of the latex to the blister to assist extraction of the parasite. A decoction of the whole plant is used in Ivory Coast-Upper Volta in baths for treatment of skin-affections and is taken internally for those diseases, e.g., leprosy, ascites, etc., requiring drastic purging (1, 4). Leaves and roots enter into a prescription for leprosy in N Nigeria along with other drug-plants and superstitious ceremonial (2, 6). The root is sometimes an ingredient of an arrow-poison intended for hunting, but probably not for warlike activity. The Karaboro of Ivory Coast prepare an arrow-poison called kangouna containing it (4), and also in Ivory Coast the plant is added as bait to kill pestilential wild animals (4). It is said to be immediately fatal to pigs (5). It has been used by the Hausa with criminal intent in food. Plant extract is very dangerous to the eyes.The plant is so toxic that even the precaution of washing the hands after touching it is advocated (4).