Finger euphorbia
Common names: Milk bush, India tree spurge, Pencil tree (NCSU, 1997)
Scientific name:
Euphorbia tirucalli
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Plant parts used
Branch
Mode of action
Insecticidal, repellent (Prakash; Rao, 1997: p. 180)
Formulation
Materials |
Method of preparation |
How to use |
Target pests |
Plant extract (Stoll, 2000: p. 170)
Mature branch
Water
10-liter container
Mortar and pestle
Strainer
|
Pound branch finely to make into a paste.
Leave the paste for sometime in
water.
Strain.
Make trials on the size and number of branches for the strength of the extract
|
Spray on infested plants thoroughly.
Spray early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
|
Citrus aphids
Cutworm
Termites |
Plant sap extract
10 drops of plant sap
1 liter of water
Pail
|
Cut a branch.
Collect the oozing sap.
Add the sap into the water.
|
Spray on infested areas.
|
Cutworm |
Standard procedures for the preparation and application of the plant extracts
- Select plant parts that are free from diseases.
- When storing the plant parts for future usage, make sure that they are properly dried and are
stored in an airy container (never use plastic container), away from direct sunlight and moisture. Make sure that they are free from molds before using them.
- Use utensils for the extract preparation that are not use for your food preparation and for drinking and cooking water containers. Clean properly all the utensils every time after using them.
- Do not have a direct contact with the crude extract while in the process of the preparation and during the application.
- Make sure that you place the plant extract out of reach of children and house pets while leaving it overnight.
- Harvest all the mature and ripe fruits before plant extract application.
- Always test the plant extract formulation on a few infested plants first before going into large scale spraying. When adding soap as an emulsifier, use a potash-based one.
- Wear protective clothing while applying the extract.
- Wash your hands after handling the
plant extract.
Effect on humans
The sap causes minor irritation to the skin (NCSU, 1997). Take extra care while handling the sap as redness, swelling, or blisters might occur on sensitive skins.
Effect on non-target organisms
In Tanzania, the plant is used as fish poison and as ant and mosquito repellent (Hines; Eckman, 1993).