Euphorbiaceae

There are alternate leaves, rarely opposite ones, and stipules. They are primarily simple, but if compound, they are always palmate instead of pinnate. There are sometimes no stipules, or the stipules are reduced to hairs, glands, or spines.

Monoecious or dioecious plants are possible. Unisexual flowers that are radially symmetrical are usually found on the same plant. The structure of the flowers in such a large family can be expected to be diverse. One to ten stamens (or even more) compose the male organs. The female flowers have superior ovaries, which are hypogynous.

Morphological Description

Species belonging to the tribe Euphorbieae and the subtribe Euphorbiinae (Euphorbia and close relatives) have a highly specialised form of pseudanthium (called a “false flower” with several true petals attached) called a cyathium. 

• The involucre usually looks like a small cup, surrounded by connective bracts and peripheral nectaries, containing a ring of single stamen-bearing male flowers. 
• A single pistil on a branched stigma is positioned at the centre of the cyathium. 
• A single flower is reminiscent of the arrangement.

• Most of the time, the fruit is a schizocarp, but occasionally a drupe. 
• A typical schizocarp is a regma, which is a capsular kind of fruit that has three or more cells that split explosively as it matures, spilling its seeds everywhere.
• As well as diterpene esters, alkaloids, and cyanogenic glycosides (such as those found in cassava tubers), this family contains a large number of phytotoxins.
• Among the Ricinus species, this one possesses a highly toxic carbohydrate-binding protein.
• Hevea brasiliensis produces natural rubber that contains milky latex. 
• This is a part of the subfamily Euphorbioideae as well as the Crotonoideae. 
• During the growing season, the latex is highly poisonous in the Euphorbioideaie family but harmless in the Crotonoideae. Milky mangroves are also called buta buta, gewa.
•  Spurges were used for their laxative properties.

Recent molecular studies have indicated that Rafflesiaceae, an enigmatic family that was only recently recognized to be part of the Malpighiales order, originated within the Euphorbiaceae. It is rare for Euphorbiaceae to show self-incompatibility since they are monoecious and open pollinated.

1. Inflorescence:

• There is a great deal of variation in inflorescence. Racemose, cymose and sometimes complex lesions are possible. Euphorbia has a unique inflorescence known as a cyathium that is very characteristic.
• A cyme is modified into a cyathium. Rather than a single female flower, there are actually several stamen-adorned male flowers within each cyathium inflorescence. 
• Gynoecium is the only part of the female flower.
• There are several flowers in the inflorescence. It is a catkin-like form of inflorescence for Acalypha. 
• Unlike other plant species, Croton and Ricinus have terminal racemes where the flowers are arranged. The flowers of Jatropha are in terminal cymes and the inflorescence is of the cymose type. 

2. Fruit:

Schizocarpic fruits grow on the plant. One seeded coccus is produced when the fruits break violently. These fruits are called regmas, and they are found in the Ricinus species. Bridelia and Trewia species produce drupes. Drupes are also produced by Phyllanthus emblica.

3. Seeds:

Endosperm is present in the seed. Micropyle is the precursor to the caruncle in Ricinus. Depending on the species, the cotyledons either lie flat or fold into the endosperm.

Pollination

It is usually entomophilous, involving insects. The seeds are cross-pollinated mostly. A number of species develop colored leaves and bracts to attract insects. Anemophily is sometimes observed.

Distribution

Arctic climates do not support them. There are several genera that comprise the family in our country, including Euphorbia, Ricinus, Phyllanthus, Croton, Pedilanthus, etc. Euphorbias are cactus-like plants that are found in the hot desert regions of Africa and elsewhere.

The Australian continent is home to many plants like Euphorbias. In Britain, there are only two genera, Euphorbia and Mercurialis. Each genus has sixteen species, whereas Mercurialis has two.

Economic Importance

1. Food source: The tuberous roots provide starchy food.
2. Many plants produce oils that are used to make paint. Several species of plants produce these oils.
3. Castor oil (IAF) and conon oil (JLIF) are used as lubricants and purgatives.
4. Manillal, for example, contains a milky juice that can be poisonous. Mercurialis produces poisons that can kill. Its poisons can be extremely harmful to the stomach. Due to the possibility of blindness, some of these poisons are used in murders and suicides. Insects can also be killed by these poisons.
5. Phyllanthus emblica’s fruit has many medicinal benefits.
6. Man/hot gives common rubber in latex in several species of Hevea.
7. For engraving, boxwood is the best. Box wood is obtained from the Buxus species.
8. Colourful ornamental plants: Plants in this family have vibrant colours. This makes them ideal for ornamental plants. A good example is Euphorbia splenclens. Also known as castor bean or Euphorbia pulcherrima.
9. Dye is produced by Chrozophora.

Conclusion

The order is made up of a single family that has been described in detail, namely the Euphorbiaceae. Each order is made up of a single family, namely the Euphorbiaceae, in which the flowers are always unisexual. A monoecious or dioecious population may exist. Euphorbia species have single stalked stamens that represent each male flower. It has incomplete, actinomorphic, hypogynous, regular flowers.  It was decided that the first two subfamilies had two ovules per carpel and thus deserved family rank. They are Phyllanthaceae and Picrodendraceae, respectively. Seeds and to a lesser extent foliage can cause toxicity if consumed, but the hard outer coating must be broken to allow ricin to be released. The most lethal way of exposure is through inhalation or injection.