Sarcostemma
australe: is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family. The common name is
Caustic Bush. This refers to the white latex that exudes from stems when cut
or broken. Be careful of this latex as it is said to be extremely
irritating on contact with eyes, lips or tongue. On the other hand, Aboriginal
people used the latex for the treatment of skin rashes, sores and bleeding
wounds. The latex may have been used for the treatment of smallpox. The plant
may be poisonous to stock.
After those pros and cons we leave to cultivation of this plant up to you.
Sarcostemma australe is a leafless plant with branching, cylindrical, silvery-green stems. Plants sometimes reach a height of two metres. The flowers are cream to cream-green and appear along the stems in spring and summer.
Caustic bush usually grows in rock crevices and may be slow to establish in cultivation. Plants require warm to hot sites in full sun in well-drained situations.
Sarcostemma australe occurs in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory usually in semi-arid areas.
The photograph was taken in Boodjamulla National Park in July 2004. The plant was growing amongst rocks and was not common. Another specimen was found growing in a similar situation near Mount Isa.
Some botanists consider the Caustic Bush to be a sub species of Sarcostemma viminale.
Propagation is from seed or cuttings. Please be careful of the latex when preparing cuttings.