Euphorbiaceae, Spurge Family

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Updated 10/7/2023

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

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Euphorbia degeneri

DEGENER'S 'AKOKO

Euphorbia deppeana

NU'UANU PALI 'AKOKO

Euphorbia celastroides var. kaenana

KA'ENA 'AKOKO

Euphorbia celastroides var. laehiensis

EAST MAUI 'AKOKO

Euphorbia celastroides

'AKOKO

Euphorbia multiformis var. microphylla

'AKOKO

Euphorbia skottsbergii var. skottsbergii

KALAELOA 'AKOKO

Euphorbia hillebrandii var. palikeana

PALIKEA 'AKOKO

Euphorbia haeleeleana

HA'ELE'ELE 'AKOKO

Antidesma platyphyllum var. platyphyllum

HAME

HAWAII - POLYNESIAN INTRODUCTION

Aleurites moluccana

CANDLENUT TREE KUKUI

HAWAII - NATURALIZED

Euphorbia hyssopifolia

HYSSOPLEAF SANDMAT

Euphorbia hypericifolia

GRACEFUL SPURGE

Euphorbia hirta

HAIRY or GARDEN SPURGE

Euphorbia prostrata

PROSTRATE SPURGE

Euphorbia cyathophora

MEXICAN FIREPLANT or WILD POINSETTIA

Euphorbia heterophylla

DESERT or WILD POINSETTIA

Ricinus communis

CASTOR BEAN

Manihot glaziovii

CEARA RUBBER TREE

Macaranga mappa

MACARANGA BINGABING

Macaranga tanarius

PARASOL LEAF TREE

HAWAII - CULTIVATED

Euphorbia pulcherrima

POINSETTIA

Jatropha integerrima

PEREGRINA or SPICY JATROPHA

Acalypha hispida

CHENILLE PLANT

Euphorbia punicea

JAMAICAN POINSETTIA

Euphorbia milii

CROWN-OF-THORNS

Euphorbia tirucalli

PENCIL TREE or MILK BUSH

Hura crepitans

SANDBOX TREE

Euphorbia lactea

MILK-STRIPED EUPHORBIA

Euphorbia leucocephala

WHITE-LACED or SNOWFLAKE EUPHORBIA

Jatropha multifida

CORAL PLANT

or FRENCH PHYSIC NUT