Hura crepitans
HURA CREPITANS (Sandbox Tree)
Euphorbiaceae | Cactus
Euphorbiaceae
The Euphorbiaceae or euphorbias is a spurge family of flowering plants.
Native To:
North & South America
Plant Status:
Secure
Plant Habit:
Tree, big leaves
Range: 90-130 feet
Plant Habitat:
Tropical regions
Cultural Uses
The oil extracted from dried seeds is used as a purgative. The plant secretes a milky juice that was used in poison darts. The leaves are also used to treat eczema. Non-medicinally, the empty seed pods were filled with sand in which to dip quill pens, to get rid of excess ink.
Interesting Fact
One name for the tree was ‘dynamite tree’ because the seed pods on the tree would explode and make a loud noise.