return to: checklist; keys,
key 3; family Euphorbiaceae
subfamily Euphorbioideae
Euphorbia cyathophora Murr.
Weedy
herb with milky white latex; leaves opposite towards the base
of the stem, alternate towards the apex, simple, variable in shape,
linear lanceolate to elliptic, lobed or unlobed, base generally
cuneate, margins entire or toothed, apex +/- acute, at least some
leaves subtending the reproductive structures bear a red, pink
or white spot or zone near their base; flowers minute, highly
reduced, crowded into cup-like cyathia crowdes at the stem apex;
cyathium green, with a single prominent bilabiate, yellow gland;
depending on stage of maturity, jointed stamens, naked 3-carpellate
ovaries, or explosively dehiscent capsules emerge from the apex
of the cyathium.
This is a relative of the familiar Christmas poinsettia. Standley (1930) reports that the
latex is used to treat erysipelas (skin infections often caused
by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. Listed, as Euphorbia
heterophylla var rubra, as an important source of pollen
and/or nectar for bees (Souza Novello
1981).
Weedy
herb with milky white latex; leaves opposite towards the base
of the stem, alternate towards the apex, simple, variable in shape,
linear lanceolate to elliptic, lobed or unlobed, base generally
cuneate, margins entire or toothed, apex +/- acute, at least some
leaves subtending the reproductive structures bear a red, pink
or white spot or zone near their base; flowers minute, highly
reduced, crowded into cup-like cyathia crowdes at the stem apex;
cyathium green, with a single prominent bilabiate, yellow gland;
depending on stage of maturity, jointed stamens, naked 3-carpellate
ovaries, or explosively dehiscent capsules emerge from the apex
of the cyathium.