Botanical Family · Malpighiales

Euphorbiaceae

Spurge/Euphorbia family

207 speciesOrder Malpighiales8+ well-known plants

A large, diverse family of flowering plants known for their milky latex sap. Ranging from succulent cacti-like forms to large trees, they occupy nearly every habitat. Many species are economically important, including rubber (Hevea) and cassava (Manihot).

Browse all 207 species ↓

Representative specimen · Euphorbiaceae

How to recognise the Euphorbiaceae family

01
Milky or coloured latex
02
Unisexual flowers, often small
03
3-lobed capsule fruit common

Typical leaf characters

ArrangementAlternate
TypeSimple
MarginVariable
VenationPinnate

Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.

Typical flower & fruit

Flower symmetryRadial
InflorescenceCyme
FruitCapsule

Typical of the family — flowering plants only; species can vary.

Notable members

Short-Spike CopperleafAcalypha brachystachyaFringed AcalyphaAcalypha ciliataBirch-Leaved Cat TailAcalypha fruticosaCat's Tail, Chenille Plant, Red-Hot Cat's Tail, Foxtail, Red Hot PokerAcalypha hispidaIndian AcalyphaAcalypha indicaToothed Bract Indian CopperleafAcalypha lanceolataPanicled AcalyphaAcalypha paniculataCopperleafAcalypha wilkesiana

All 207 species in EUPHORBIACEAE

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