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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 amany are rare or endangered.

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Chamaesyce degeneri 

DEGENER'S 'AKOKO

 

 Chamaesyce deppeana

NU'UANU PALI 'AKOKO

 
Chamaesyce celastroides var. kaenana

   KA'ENA 'AKOKO  

 		 Chamaesyce celastroides var. laehiensis

   EAST MAUI 'AKOKO  

Euphorbia haeleeleana

   HA'ELE'ELE  'AKOKO  

 

HAWAII - POLYNESIAN INTRODUCTION

Aleurites moluccana

CANDLENUT TREE    KUKUI

 

HAWAII - NATURALIZED

Chamaesyce hyssopifolia

HYSSOPLEAF SANDMAT

 Chamaesyce hypericifolia

GRACEFUL SPURGE

 
Chamaesyce hirta

HAIRY or GARDEN SPURGE

 		 Chamaesyce 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

 

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