Spurge family
Description
A large family of herbs, shrubs and trees, cosmopolitan in distribution, but most genera in the tropics (P. acidus 2). A white latex is sometimes present.
The leaves are alternate, simple and usually with stipules. The flowers are usually tiny and unisexual, the males with 1-10 stamens, the females with 3-5 sepals, petals usually absent, and a superior ovary. The fruit is a 3-lobed woody capsule; occasionally a berry (Euphorbiaceae 1).
There are about 30 genera.
Use
Some genera are of great economic importance, like Hevea and Manihot, respectively providing rubber and cassava. The family also yields important oil-producing plants like castor and tung, and edible fruits.
Described species
Hevea brasiliensis, rubber
Manihot esculenta, cassava, manioc, tapioca
Ricinus communis, castor
Aleurites montana, tung, see Ricinus communis
Euphorbia tirucalli, African milkbush, see Ricinus communis
Croton tiglium, croton, see Ricinus communis
Phyllantus acidus, otaheite gooseberry
Phyllantus emblica, emblic, see Phyllantus acidus
Baccaurea motleyana, rambai, see Phyllantus acidus