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Euphorbiaceae

Flowers:Imperfect and the plants monoecious or dioecious; carpels 3, syncarpous; ovary superior, 3-locular; 1-2 apical ovules per locule.

Two types of flowers in family:

  • "Euphorbia" type—very reduced
  • "Normal" type, larger with 5 sepals

Inflorescence:A cyathium with nectar glands (or various cymes)

Fruits: Schizocarps splitting into mericarps (or fruits capsules)

Habit: Extremely variable — annual or perennial herbs, shrubs, or, in the tropics, large trees; often SUCCULENT and resembling cacti, especially in southern Africa. Often with MILKY sap

Leaves: Commonly alternate and simple

Examples:

  • Acalypha (chenille plant; copperleaf)
  • Aleurites fordii (tung oil)
  • Codiaeum variegatum (garden croton)
  • Euphorbia (BIG genus, often split into several smaller genera):
    • E. milii (crown-of-thorns)
    • E. pulcherrima (poinsettia)
    • E. corollata (flowering spurge)
    • E. marginata (snow-on-the-mountain)
    • E. piscatoria (Figueira do inferno= fig of hell)
  • Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree)
  • Jatropa podagrica (gout plant)
  • Mahihot esculenta (cassava, tapioca)
  • Ricinus communis (castor bean)