Euphorbiaceae

(Redirected from Spurge)

The spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) is a large family of flowering plants with 300 genera and around 7,500 species. Most are herbs. Some, especially in the tropics, are shrubs or trees.

Spurge family
Starr 020803-0119 Aleurites moluccana.jpg
Candlenut tree (Aleurites moluccana)
Scientific classification
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Euphorbiaceae

Subfamilies

The name spurge comes from the Latin word espurge meaning to purge: this refers to its use as a laxative.