Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia is a large genus in the family Euphorbiaceae with about 2,000 species, distributed worldwide from the tropics to temperate regions. Its flowers are tiny and reduced: a single female flower and several male flowers are enclosed in a cup of bracts called a cyathium, which looks like a single flower and sets the genus apart from the rest of the family. The white latex that flows from damaged stems and leaves is poisonous and irritates the skin and eyes. Africa and Madagascar are home to many cactus-like succulent species, and cultivated plants include poinsettia, crown of thorns (E. milii), pencil tree (E. tirucalli) and E. obesa.