Plant Family: 229 Genera in Euphorbiaceae – Spurge Family

A Fascination with the Euphorbiaceae: From a Budding Gardener’s Perspective

The world of plants has always held a special allure for me, Ferb Vu, a budding gardener with an insatiable curiosity about the green wonders that surround us. Among the countless plant families that pique my interest, the Euphorbiaceae stands out as a captivating and diverse group. Let me share my journey of discovering this remarkable family, from its unique characteristics to its vast array of genera.

Unveiling the Enigmatic Euphorbiaceae

The Euphorbiaceae, also known as the spurge family, is a sprawling and cosmopolitan family boasting an impressive diversity of forms and adaptations. From towering trees to humble herbs, succulents to aquatic plants, this family encompasses a remarkable spectrum of life forms. One of the defining features of Euphorbiaceae is the presence of milky latex, a sticky, often toxic sap that serves various functions, from deterring herbivores to aiding in wound healing.

A Tapestry of Genera

The sheer number of genera within the Euphorbiaceae is awe-inspiring, estimated to be around 229 with thousands of species. Each genus offers its own unique set of characteristics, contributing to the rich tapestry of this plant family.

1. Euphorbia: Arguably the most iconic genus of the family, Euphorbia is a powerhouse of diversity, showcasing a wide range of growth habits and adaptations. From the towering candelabra trees of Africa to the humble ground-hugging spurges, this genus exemplifies the remarkable plasticity of the Euphorbiaceae. – 2093 Species in Genus Euphorbia
2. Jatropha: This genus has garnered attention for its potential as a source of biofuel due to the oil-rich seeds of certain species. Beyond its economic significance, Jatropha boasts a captivating array of ornamental plants, with vibrant flowers and intriguing foliage. – 177 Species in Genus Jatropha
3. Ricinus: Renowned for its castor oil, derived from the seeds of Ricinus communis, this genus holds both economic and medicinal value. However, it’s important to handle castor beans with caution, as they contain a highly toxic compound called ricin. – Ricinus Communis in Genus Ricinus
4. Manihot: The cassava plant, Manihot esculenta, a staple food crop in many tropical regions, belongs to this genus. Its starchy roots provide a valuable source of carbohydrates, while its leaves are also consumed as a nutritious green vegetable. – 161 Species in Genus Manihot
5. Hevea: The rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, a cornerstone of the rubber industry, finds its place in this remarkable family. Its milky latex, harvested through careful tapping, has revolutionized countless industries and continues to play a vital role in our modern world. – 10 Species in Genus Hevea
6. Acalypha L. – 432 Species in Genus Acalypha
7. Acidocroton Griseb.
8. Acidoton Sw.
9. Actinostemon Mart. ex Klotzsch
10. Adelia L. – 10 Species in Genus Adelia
11. Adenochlaena Boivin ex Baill.
12. Adenocline Turcz.
13. Adenopeltis Bertero ex A.Juss.
14. Adenophaedra (Müll.Arg.) Müll.Arg.
15. Adriana Gaudich.
16. Afrotrewia Pax & K.Hoffm.
17. Agrostistachys Dalzell
18. Alchornea Sw.
19. Alchorneopsis Müll.Arg.
20. Aleurites J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
21. Algernonia Baill.
22. Alphandia Baill.
23. Amperea A.Juss.
24. Amyrea Leandri
25. Angostylis Benth.
26. Annesijoa Pax & K.Hoffm.
27. Anomostachys (Baill.) Hurus.
28. Anthostema A.Juss.
29. Aparisthmium Endl.
30. Argomuellera Pax
31. Argythamnia P.Browne
32. Astraea Klotzsch
33. Astrococcus Benth.
34. Aubletiana J.Murillo
35. Avellanita Phil.
36. Bahiana J.F.Carrión
37. Balakata Esser
38. Baliospermum Blume
39. Baloghia Endl.
40. Benoistia H.Perrier & Leandri
41. Bernardia Houst. ex Mill.
42. Bertya Planch.
43. Beyeria Miq.
44. Bia Klotzsch
45. Blachia Baill.
46. Blumeodendron (Müll.Arg.) Kurz
47. Bocquillonia Baill.
48. Bonania A.Rich.
49. Borneodendron Airy Shaw
50. Bossera Leandri
51. Botryophora Hook.f.
52. Brasiliocroton P.E.Berry & Cordeiro
53. Calycopeplus Planch.
54. Caperonia A.St.-Hil.
55. Caryodendron H.Karst.
56. Cavacoa J.Léonard
57. Cephalocroton Hochst.
58. Cephalocrotonopsis Pax
59. Cephalomappa Baill.
60. Cheilosa Blume
61. Chiropetalum A.Juss.
62. Chlamydojatropha Pax & K.Hoffm.
63. Chondrostylis Boerl.
64. Chrozophora Neck. ex A.Juss.
65. Cladogelonium Leandri
66. Cladogynos Zipp. ex Span.
67. Claoxylon A.Juss.
68. Claoxylopsis Leandri
69. Cleidiocarpon Airy Shaw
70. Cleidion Blume
71. Clonostylis S.Moore
72. Cnesmone Blume
73. Cnidoscolus Pohl
74. Cocconerion Baill.
75. Codiaeum Rumph. ex A.Juss. – 17 Species in Genus Codiaeum
76. Colliguaja Molina
77. Colobocarpos Esser & Welzen
78. Conceveiba Aubl.
79. Conosapium Müll.Arg.
80. Croton L.
81. Crotonogyne Müll.Arg.
82. Crotonogynopsis Pax
83. Cyrtogonone Prain
84. Cyttaranthus J.Léonard
85. Dalechampia Plum. ex L.
86. Dalembertia Baill.
87. Dendrocousinsia Millsp.
88. Dendrothrix Esser
89. Deutzianthus Gagnep.
90. Dichostemma Pierre
91. Discoclaoxylon (Müll.Arg.) Pax & K.Hoffm.
92. Discocleidion Pax & K.Hoffm.
93. Discoglypremna Prain
94. Ditrysinia Raf.
95. Ditta Griseb.
96. Dodecastigma Ducke
97. Doryxylon Zoll.
98. Droceloncia J.Léonard
99. Dysopsis Baill.
100. Elateriospermum Blume
101. Endospermum Benth.
102. Enriquebeltrania Rzed.
103. Epiprinus Griff.
104. Erismanthus Wall. ex Müll.Arg.
105. Erythrococca Benth.
106. Excoecaria L.
107. Falconeria Royle
108. Fontainea Heckel
109. Garcia Vahl ex Rohr – 2 Species in Genus Garcia
110. Garciadelia Jestrow & Jiménez Rodr.
111. Gitara Pax & K.Hoffm.
112. Givotia Griff.
113. Glycydendron Ducke
114. Gradyana Athiê-Souza, A.L.Melo & M.F.Sales
115. Grimmeodendron Urb.
116. Grossera Pax
117. Gymnanthes Sw.
118. Haematostemon Pax & K.Hoffm.
119. Hamilcoa Prain
120. Hancea Seem.
121. Hippomane L.
122. Homalanthus A.Juss.
123. Homonoia Lour.
124. Hura L. – 2 Species in Genus Hura
125. Hylandia Airy Shaw
126. Incadendron K.Wurdack & Farfán
127. Joannesia Vell.
128. Karima Cheek & Riina
129. Klaineanthus Pierre ex Prain
130. Koilodepas Hassk.
131. Lasiococca Hook.f.
132. Lasiocroton Griseb.
133. Leeuwenbergia Letouzey & N.Hallé
134. Leidesia Müll.Arg.
135. Leucocroton Griseb.
136. Lobanilia Radcl.-Sm.
137. Mabea Aubl.
138. Macaranga Thouars
139. Mallotus Lour.
140. Manniophyton Müll.Arg.
141. Maprounea Aubl.
142. Mareya Baill.
143. Mareyopsis Pax & K.Hoffm.
144. Megistostigma Hook.f.
145. Melanolepis Rchb.f. & Zoll.
146. Mercurialis L.
147. Micrandra Benth.
148. Micrandropsis W.A.Rodrigues
149. Micrococca Benth.
150. Microstachys A.Juss.
151. Mildbraedia Pax
152. Monotaxis Brongn.
153. Moultonianthus Merr.
154. Myricanthe Airy Shaw
155. Nealchornea Huber
156. Necepsia Prain
157. Neoboutonia Müll.Arg.
158. Neoguillauminia Croizat
159. Neoscortechinia Pax
160. Neoshirakia Esser
161. Oligoceras Gagnep.
162. Omphalea L.
163. Ophellantha Standl.
164. Ophthalmoblapton Allemão
165. Orfilea Baill.
166. Ostodes Blume
167. Pachystroma Müll.Arg.
168. Pachystylidium Pax & K.Hoffm.
169. Pantadenia Gagnep.
170. Paracroton Miq.
171. Paranecepsia Radcl.-Sm.
172. Pausandra Radlk.
173. Philyra Klotzsch
174. Phyllanoa Croizat
175. Pimelodendron Hassk.
176. Plagiostyles Pierre
177. Platygyna P.Mercier
178. Pleradenophora Esser
179. Plukenetia L.
180. Podadenia Thwaites
181. Pseudagrostistachys Pax & K.Hoffm.
182. Pseudosenefeldera Esser
183. Ptychopyxis Miq.
184. Pycnocoma Benth.
185. Radcliffea Petra Hoffm. & K.Wurdack
186. Reutealis Airy Shaw
187. Rhodothyrsus Esser
188. Ricinocarpos Desf.
189. Ricinodendron Müll.Arg.
190. Rockinghamia Airy Shaw
191. Romanoa Trevis.
192. Sagotia Baill.
193. Sampantaea Airy Shaw
194. Sandwithia Lanj.
195. Sapium Jacq.
196. Schinziophyton Hutch. ex Radcl.Sm.
197. Sclerocroton Hochst.
198. Sebastiania Spreng.
199. Seidelia Baill.
200. Senefeldera Mart.
201. Senefelderopsis Steyerm.
202. Shirakiopsis Esser
203. Shonia R.J.F.Hend. & Halford
204. Spathiostemon Blume
205. Spegazziniophytum Esser
206. Speranskia Baill.
207. Sphaerostylis Baill.
208. Sphyranthera Hook.f.
209. Spirostachys Sond.
210. Stillingia L.
211. Strophioblachia Boerl.
212. Sumbaviopsis J.J.Sm.
213. Suregada Roxb. ex Rottler
214. Syndyophyllum K.Schum. & Lauterb.
215. Tannodia Baill.
216. Tapoides Airy Shaw
217. Tetrorchidium Poepp.
218. Thyrsanthera Pierre ex Gagnep.
219. Tragia Plum. ex L.
220. Tragiella Pax & K.Hoffm.
221. Triadica Lour.
222. Trigonostemon Blume
223. Tritaxis Baill.
224. Tsaiodendron Y.H.Tan, H.Zhu & H.Sun
225. Vaupesia R.E.Schult.
226. Vernicia Lour.
227. Weda Welzen
228. Wetria Baill.
229. Zuckertia Baill.

A World of Wonder Awaits

My exploration of the Euphorbiaceae is an ongoing journey, fueled by a deep fascination with the intricacies of the plant kingdom. This remarkable family, with its vast array of genera and adaptations, serves as a constant reminder of the boundless creativity of nature. Whether you’re a seasoned botanist or a budding enthusiast like myself, the Euphorbiaceae offers a world of wonder waiting to be discovered.

So, let’s venture forth, armed with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, and unravel the secrets of this captivating plant family. From the towering forests to the arid deserts, the Euphorbiaceae thrives, leaving its mark on every corner of our planet. May our journey be filled with awe and appreciation for the remarkable diversity that surrounds us.