Knowra Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae is a large family of flowering plants, commonly called the spurge family. Its members include spurges, poinsettias, cassava, and rubber trees.
Euphorbia : A large genus of plants in the spurge family, including spurges and poinsettias. This diverse genus contains many species that give the family its common name.
Cassava : A tropical shrub cultivated for its starchy edible roots, a major food source in many regions. This Euphorbiaceae crop supplies calories to hundreds of millions of people.
Cactaceae : The cactus family, a group of flowering plants adapted largely to arid environments. Some Euphorbia species resemble cacti, but belong to a separate family.
Cyanogenic glycosides : Plant compounds that can release hydrogen cyanide when tissues are damaged. Cassava uses these compounds as chemical defenses, requiring careful processing before consumption.
Pencil cactus : Euphorbia tirucalli, a succulent shrub or tree with slender, pencil-like green branches. Its cactus-like form demonstrates how spurges evolved drought-adapted shapes independently of cacti.
Cyathium : A specialized flower-like structure that groups reduced male and female flowers in many Euphorbia species. Its distinctive structure is a hallmark of the family's best-known genus.
Natural rubber : An elastic polymer harvested primarily from the latex of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. The family's rubber tree is the principal source of natural rubber.
Apocynaceae : A flowering-plant family that includes milkweeds, oleanders, and many latex-producing species. Its latex-bearing members can resemble spurges despite their distinct floral and genetic traits.
Ricin : A highly toxic protein found in castor bean seeds that inhibits protein synthesis in cells. This compound makes castor cultivation a notable source of both useful oil and biological hazard.
Euphorbia pulcherrima : The botanical species name for the poinsettia, a shrub native to Mexico and Central America. This species anchors the family's familiar holiday ornamental in its native range.
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