Family Euphorbiaceae

Spurge Family

A large family with milky poisonous sap.  Modified flowers are consolidated to form structure called a cyathium.  A central female ovary is surrounded by several male flowers which are reduced to a single stamen.  Colored bracts resembling petals ring the edge.  

Some species are weeds while others are succulent and suited to life in dry areas.  Hawaii has a number of endemic species called 'Akoko.  Many are rare or endangered.

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Chamaesyce degeneri   

Kahuku, Oahu

Kaena Point, Oahu

'AKOKO

Endemic sprawling perennial uncommon along isolated rocky coasts & dunes.

Chamaesyce celastroides var. kaenana   

Ka'ena Point, Oahu

'AKOKO

A rare shrub restricted to talus slopes at Ka'ena Point on Oahu.  An endangered subspecies.

Chamaesyce deppeana   

Nu'uanu Pali, Oahu

'AKOKO

Very rare subshrub on windswept cliffs at Oahu's Nu'uanu Pali Lookout.  Thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1986.  Leaves lack hairs, with rounded apex & finely serrate margins.  Flowers 1.5 - 3mm wide, nearly sessile in leaf axil.

Euphorbia haeleeleana   

Koko Crater, Oahu

'AKOKO

Small tree with succulent branches found in mesic forests of SW Kaua'i & NW Oahu.  Endemic to Hawaii.  Related to Central American species.

HAWAII - POLYNESIAN INTRODUCTION

Aleurites moluccana

 

UH Manoa, Oahu

 

Hoomaluhia, Kaneohe, Oahu

 

Waimanalo, Oahu

CANDLENUT TREE    KUKUI

Large tree with light green leaves found in mesic valleys.  Brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian settlers.  Roasted nutmeat eaten sparingly, used for torches, oil for lamps, medication, outer shell for jewelry.  Fruit husk & roots used for dye, wood for building, latex sap for glue.  Hawaii's official state tree.  Native to Indo-Malaysia and widespread throughout the Pacific.

HAWAII - NATURALIZED

Chamaesyce hirta

Waimanalo, Oahu

HAIRY or GARDEN SPURGE

Common herb in dry disturbed habitats.  Native to the Tropical Americas.

Chamaesyce hypericifolia

Waimanalo, Oahu

GRACEFUL SPURGE

Common herb in disturbed low elevation habitats.  Flowers accompanied by few leaves, seed capsules widest at middle, about 1.5mm in diameter.  Native to the Americas.

Chamaesyce hyssopifolia

Waimanalo, Oahu

HYSSOPLEAF SANDMAT

Locally common herb in dry disturbed habitats.  Flowers accompanied by numerous leaves, seed capsules widest below middle, about 2mm in diameter.  Native to the Americas.

Chamaesyce prostrata

Waimanalo, Oahu

PROSTRATE SPURGE

Common mat-forming herb in dry disturbed habitats.  Native to the Americas.

Euphorbia cyathophora

Midway Atoll

MEXICAN FIREPLANT or WILD POINSETTIA

Annual herb of dry disturbed lowlands.  Base of floral leaves red.  Native to the Americas.  Common names of this and E. heterophylla are shared and somewhat confusing.

Euphorbia heterophylla

Makapu'u Lighthouse Road, Oahu

DESERT POINSETTIA    KALIKO

Stout annual herb of dry disturbed habitats.  Base of floral leaves green, white, or purple-spotted, never red.  Native to the Americas.

Ricinus communis

Bellows AFB, Waimanalo, Oahu

CASTOR BEAN

Fast-growing invasive shrub of dry disturbed lowlands.  Seeds produce a useful oil, but the outer seed coat contains a high concentration of deadly ricin.  Male flowers on lower portion of stalk, female flowers toward top.  Native to Africa but grown in many areas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_oil

HAWAII - CULTIVATED

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Kahala, Oahu

POINSETTIA

Shrub or small tree cultivated for red, pink, or white floral leaves that appear during winter.  Native to the Mexico & Guatemala.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_pulcherrima

Acalypha hispida

UH Manoa, Oahu

CHENILLE PLANT

Ornamental shrub with green or red leaves.  Only female plants have red inflorescence.  Native to New Guinea.

Jatropha integerrima

UH Manoa, Oahu

PEREGRINA or SPICY JATROPHA

Ornamental shrub or small tree.  Flower color varies.  Native to Cuba. 

Euphorbia milii

Koko Crater, Oahu

CROWN-OF-THORNS or CHRIST PLANT

Ornamental prickly sprawling shrub.  Flower bract color variable.  Native to Madagascar.

Euphorbia punicea

Koko Crater, Oahu

JAMAICAN POINSETTIA

Ornamental shrub or small tree native to Jamaica.

http://www.u4ba.nl/articles/euphorbia_punicea.htm

Euphorbia tirucalli

Makapu'u Lighthouse, Oahu

PENCIL TREE or MILK BUSH

Ornamental tree with tiny leaves.  Milky latex may be used to create biofuel.  In cultivation for many centuries, the true origin is uncertain.  Occurs throughout Africa & Asia.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/euphorbia_tirucalli.html

Hura crepitans

UH Manoa, Oahu

SANDBOX TREE

Large tree with thorny bark & segmented pumpkin-like fruits that break apart explosively.  Native to South America.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_Tree

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