Euphorbiaceæ

Euphorbiaceæ, a very extensive order of dicotyledons, probably allied to Tiliaceæ and Malvaceæ, containing upwards of 3500 known species—trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, of the most extraordinarily varied, often even cactus-like habit. They abound chiefly in warm countries, and most of all in tropical America. The few species found in the colder parts of the world are all herbaceous. The common Box (if this be indeed truly euphorbiaceous) reaches a more northern limit than any other shrubby species. The other British species are different kinds of Spurge (Euphorbia) and Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis). The Euphorbiaceæ usually abound in an acrid and poisonous milky juice; although there are species of which the juice is bland or becomes so through the application of heat. The conception of Robert Brown, that the peculiar 'flower' in Euphorbia, &c. is really a reduced inflorescence, has given rise to much controversy (see FLOWER). Amongst those most remarkable for the acridity of their juice are the Manchineel (q.v.) and Excoecaria agallocha, an East Indian tree—formerly supposed to yield one of the kinds of aloes wood—the smoke from the burning of which is extremely dangerous to the eyes, and of which the juice sometimes blinds the woodcutter. Many of the Euphorbiaceæ are valued for their medicinal properties. Thus, the juice of some of the spurges, the roots of others, the bark of different species of Croton (Cascarilla Bark, Copalche Bark), &c. are used in medicine; and to plants of this order we are indebted for castor-oil, croton-oil, &c. A few of the Euphorbiaceæ yield fragrant balsamic products (see CROTON); a few, although their juice is poisonous, yield a wholesome starch in considerable abundance (see MANIOC); a few are cultivated and used as pot-herbs, particularly species of Plukenetia in the East Indies; a few yield wholesome and agreeable sub-acid fruits, as Cicca disticha and C. racemosa in the East Indies; the seeds of some are edible, as those of the Candle-nut (q.v.), &c.; the oil of the seeds is also in some cases used for food, like other bland oils, but more frequently for burning, as castor-oil, candle-nut oil, the oil of Elavococca verrucosa in Japan and Mauritius, and the solid oil of Stillingia sebifera, which is used in China for making candles, and in medical preparations as a substitute for lard. Others yield dyestuffs. The timber of some of the Euphorbiaceæ is valuable—e.g. African Teak (q.v.). Many species are cultivated in gardens and hot-houses, more frequently for their curious appearance than for their beauty; but the large, deep crimson bracts of Poinsettia pulcherrima, a native of Mexico, make it a very attractive plant.