Euphorbiaceae

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbiaceae (pronounced: yoo-for-bee-ay-see-ee), also known as the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants with over 300 genera and around 7,500 species. Most are tropical, but they also occur in temperate climates.

Etymology

The name Euphorbiaceae comes from Euphorbus, the Greek physician of King Juba II of Numidia (52–50 BC – 23 AD), who married the daughter of Anthony and Cleopatra. He is reported to have used a certain plant, possibly Euphorbia resinifera, as a herbal remedy, and the plant was named after him.

Description

Members of the Euphorbiaceae family are incredibly diverse, ranging from herbaceous plants to trees and succulents. They are generally characterized by their milky sap, which can be toxic, and their unique flower structure.

Genera

Some of the most well-known genera in the Euphorbiaceae family include:

Related Terms

  • Phytochemistry: The study of chemicals derived from plants. Euphorbiaceae are known for their diverse range of secondary metabolites.
  • Taxonomy: The science of classification. The taxonomy of Euphorbiaceae has been subject to many changes over the years.
  • Botany: The scientific study of plants. Euphorbiaceae are of great interest to botanists due to their diversity and wide distribution.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski