Euphorbia resinifera O.Berg is a succulent in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. Kew Plants of the World Online accepts this scientific name and records Morocco as its native range; NC State Extension describes it on Atlas Mountain slopes. Common names include resin spurge, African spurge, and Moroccan mound. “Euphorbium” generally refers to dried latex material rather than the whole living plant. Vernacular names vary by place and trade source, so a common-name label alone cannot establish species identity.

The succulent stems are upright, usually leafless or bearing only small, short-lived leaves, and pale bluish-green to green. Branches form a dense cushion. Stems commonly show four clear longitudinal ribs with short paired sharp spines; small yellow flowers occur along the ribs or near stem tips in spring to early summer. When a stem is damaged, opaque white latex exudes. The plant can be mistaken for a cactus, but the groups differ botanically: Euphorbia spines arise along stem ridges, whereas true cacti bear areoles.

The profile images are AI study illustrations informed by botanical descriptions and horticultural references. They show the general mound form, four-ribbed stems, spines, and dried resin-like material. They cannot authenticate a living specimen or a commercial product, establish its purity or provenance, or indicate its toxicity.

Some European materia-medica references record euphorbium as dried latex from Euphorbia species; a specialist review of commercially used Euphorbia medicinal materials associates E. resinifera with the drug name Euphorbium. Reviews of Moroccan ethnobotany report historical folk use of the plant’s latex, including a tiny topical application for toothache or its use as a drastic purgative. These are records of hazardous historical practices, not recommendations or proof of treatment.

A CITES reference on medicinally used Euphorbia species identifies euphorbium as dried latex and discusses historical pharmaceutical uses while acknowledging irritant/toxic properties. It also mentions highly diluted homeopathic products; presence in a reference or marketplace does not show efficacy. None of this supports instructions for fresh latex, oral dosing, skin application, or eye use. This profile assigns no Chinese-medicine taste, thermal nature, channels, or therapeutic action because a standardized Chinese materia-medica monograph for this exact species and material form has not been verified.

The project’s extract of CITES Trade Database 2026.1 contains exactly one comparative-tabulation row for Euphorbia resinifera during 2016–2025: purpose T (commercial), term MED (medicine), Appendix II, and source code W (wild-sourced). The exporter-reported record lists 0.001 g from Germany to Switzerland in 2017, with Morocco as reported country of origin. This is a tiny quantity in one reported row, not a market-size estimate, shipment count, or proof of medicinal consumption. CITES records a transaction as reported under a query; it does not authenticate the individual permit, product contents, safety, or clinical efficacy.

Chemical studies and laboratory experiments describe diterpene compounds in the latex and biological activity in research models. Some resiniferatoxin research investigates mechanisms involving pain-sensing receptors; results for purified chemicals or animal models do not establish raw latex as a safe human analgesic. Reviews of this species also note limits in toxicology data and poisonings associated with latex. Chemical activity, cell experiments, and traditional use cannot be translated into treatment claims.

NC State Extension classifies the whole plant as toxic and warns that its white latex may cause mild to severe dermatitis; eye exposure can cause prolonged or permanent corneal damage. Ingestion may blister the lips and oral mucosa, and toxicology reviews describe serious gastrointestinal irritation. Keep children and pets away, especially from broken stems and dried latex fragments. Do not touch, cut, burn, grind, closely smell, taste, or collect the latex; do not use it in homemade medicines, cosmetics, eye drops, or poultices.

If latex contacts skin or eyes, follow local poison-control or medical guidance and seek urgent medical care, particularly for eye exposure, severe pain, blurred vision, blistering, or ingestion. Do not attempt to neutralize it with household chemicals. Gloves do not remove the risk of splashes or cross-contamination; gardeners should keep the plant in a controlled location and follow professional safety practices. Do not experiment by combining latex with herbs, food, or prescription medicines.

For the living plant, study the low, dense succulent cushion and branching habit. Blue-green or glaucous stems show four ribs, with short paired spines along the ridges. The plant lacks the broad leafy canopy of many medicinal herbs. Tiny yellow cyathia occur along upper stem portions. An AI illustration may misstate rib count, spine density, flower scale, or color. Do not touch the plant to inspect it; all parts contain toxic latex.

In materia-medica descriptions, euphorbium is dried, coagulated latex, appearing in irregular fragments or masses that range from yellow-brown to amber-brown. Crude material may include stem fragments or contaminants. Color and translucency vary with processing, sample age, and storage, so an image cannot distinguish E. resinifera resin from latex of another Euphorbia or an adulterant. A real lot requires provenance records, suitable testing, and qualified expertise; never taste or burn a sample.