Euphorbia

There are over 2000 species of Euphorbias in the world. They range from annual weeds to trees. They all have latex and a unique flower structure. A significant percentage is succulent, but they are mostly originating from Africa and Madagascar. The Euphorbias are named after a Greek surgeon called Euphorbus. He was physician of Juba II who was the Romanised king of a North African kingdom, and is supposed to have used their milky latex as an ingredient for his potions.

Species and varieties
Euphorbia antisyphilitica (Candelilla)
Euphorbia biglandulosa (Gopher Plant)
Euphorbia marginata (Snow on the Mountain)
Euphorbia milii var. splendens (Crown of Thorns)
Euphorbia myrsinites (Creeping Spurge, Donkey Tail, Myrtle Spurge)
Euphorbia obesa (Baseball Plant, Klipnoors)
Euphorbia rigida (Gopher Plant) synonym of Euphorbia biglandulosa
Euphorbia splendens (Crown of Thorns) synonym of Euphorbia milii var. splendens
Euphorbia tirucalli (Pencil Bush, Pencil Tree)

© 2004 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved.