1- Introduction to the Family Euphorbiales
1.1- Overview
The Euphorbiaceae, in common English sometimes called euphorbias, which is also the name of a genus in the family, is a large family, the spurge family, of flowering plants with about 300 genera and 7,500 species. Most spurges are herbs, but some, especially in the tropics, are shrubs or trees. Some are succulent and resemble cacti because of convergent evolution.
This family occurs mainly in the tropics, with the majority of the species in the Indo-Malayan region and tropical America a good second. A large variety occurs in tropical Africa, but they are not as abundant or varied as in the two other tropical regions. However, Euphorbia also has many species in nontropical areas such as the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, South Africa, and the southern United States.
1.2- Subfamilies:
1- Acalyphoideae
2- Crotonoideae
3- Euphorbioidea
The Euphorbiaceae, in common English sometimes called euphorbias, which is also the name of a genus in the family, is a large family, the spurge family, of flowering plants with about 300 genera and 7,500 species. Most spurges are herbs, but some, especially in the tropics, are shrubs or trees. Some are succulent and resemble cacti because of convergent evolution.
This family occurs mainly in the tropics, with the majority of the species in the Indo-Malayan region and tropical America a good second. A large variety occurs in tropical Africa, but they are not as abundant or varied as in the two other tropical regions. However, Euphorbia also has many species in nontropical areas such as the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, South Africa, and the southern United States.
1.2- Subfamilies:
1- Acalyphoideae
2- Crotonoideae
3- Euphorbioidea
2- Characteristics of the Family Euphorbiaceae
2.1- Description
The leaves are alternate, seldom opposite, with stipules. They are mainly simple, but where compound, are always palmate, never pinnate. Stipules may be reduced to hairs, glands, or spines, or in succulent species are sometimes absent.
The plants can be monoecious or dioecious. The radially symmetrical flowers are unisexual, with the male and female flowers usually on the same plant. As can be expected from such a large family,a wide variety exists in the structure of the flowers. The stamens (the male organs) number from one to 10 (or even more). The female flowers are hypogynous, that is, with superior ovaries.
The genera in tribe Euphorbieae, subtribe Euphorbiinae (Euphorbia and close relatives) show a highly specialized form of pseudanthium ("false flower" made up of several true flowers) called a cyathium. This is usually a small, cup-likeinvolucre consisting of fused-together bracts and peripheral nectary glands, surrounding a ring of male flowers, each a single stamen. In the middle of the cyathium stands a female flower: a single pistil with branched stigmas. This whole arrangement resembles a single flower.
The fruit is usually a schizocarp, but sometimes a drupe. A typical schizocarp is the regma, a capsular fruit with three or more cells, each of which splits open at maturity into separate parts and then breaks away explosively, scattering the small seeds.
The family contains a large variety of phytotoxins (toxic substances produced by plants), mainly diterpene esters,alkaloids, glycosides, and ricin-type toxins.
A milky latex is a characteristic of the subfamilies Euphorbioideae and Crotonoideae. The latex is poisonous in the Euphorbioideae, but innocuous in the Crotonoideae. White mangrove (Excoecaria agallocha), or blind-your-eye mangrove latex causes blistering on contact and temporary blindness if it contacts the eyes. Other common names are milky mangrove, buta buta (Malay), and gewa (Bangladesh). The latex of spurge was used as a laxative.
Recent molecular studies have shown that the enigmatic family Rafflesiaceae, which was only recently recognized to belong to order Malpighiales, is derived from within the Euphorbiaceae.
The leaves are alternate, seldom opposite, with stipules. They are mainly simple, but where compound, are always palmate, never pinnate. Stipules may be reduced to hairs, glands, or spines, or in succulent species are sometimes absent.
The plants can be monoecious or dioecious. The radially symmetrical flowers are unisexual, with the male and female flowers usually on the same plant. As can be expected from such a large family,a wide variety exists in the structure of the flowers. The stamens (the male organs) number from one to 10 (or even more). The female flowers are hypogynous, that is, with superior ovaries.
The genera in tribe Euphorbieae, subtribe Euphorbiinae (Euphorbia and close relatives) show a highly specialized form of pseudanthium ("false flower" made up of several true flowers) called a cyathium. This is usually a small, cup-likeinvolucre consisting of fused-together bracts and peripheral nectary glands, surrounding a ring of male flowers, each a single stamen. In the middle of the cyathium stands a female flower: a single pistil with branched stigmas. This whole arrangement resembles a single flower.
The fruit is usually a schizocarp, but sometimes a drupe. A typical schizocarp is the regma, a capsular fruit with three or more cells, each of which splits open at maturity into separate parts and then breaks away explosively, scattering the small seeds.
The family contains a large variety of phytotoxins (toxic substances produced by plants), mainly diterpene esters,alkaloids, glycosides, and ricin-type toxins.
A milky latex is a characteristic of the subfamilies Euphorbioideae and Crotonoideae. The latex is poisonous in the Euphorbioideae, but innocuous in the Crotonoideae. White mangrove (Excoecaria agallocha), or blind-your-eye mangrove latex causes blistering on contact and temporary blindness if it contacts the eyes. Other common names are milky mangrove, buta buta (Malay), and gewa (Bangladesh). The latex of spurge was used as a laxative.
Recent molecular studies have shown that the enigmatic family Rafflesiaceae, which was only recently recognized to belong to order Malpighiales, is derived from within the Euphorbiaceae.
2.2- Uses
A number of plants of the spurge family are of considerable economic importance. Prominent plants include cassava (Manihot esculenta), castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), Barbados nut (Jatropha curcas), and the Para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Many are grown as ornamental plants, such as poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) are invasive weeds in North America. In medicine, some species of the Euphorbiaceae proved effective against genital herpes (HSV-2).
A number of plants of the spurge family are of considerable economic importance. Prominent plants include cassava (Manihot esculenta), castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), Barbados nut (Jatropha curcas), and the Para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Many are grown as ornamental plants, such as poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) are invasive weeds in North America. In medicine, some species of the Euphorbiaceae proved effective against genital herpes (HSV-2).
3- Taxonomy of the Family Euphorbiaceae
The Euphorbiaceae family has three subfamilies, 37 tribes, about 300 genera and 7,500 species.
3.1- Subfamily Acalyphoideae
1- Tribe Acalypheae [12 subtribes, 32 genera]
There are 12 subtribes and 32 genera:
1- Subtribe Acalyphinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Adrianinae [1 genus]
3- Subtribe Claoxylinae [5 genera]
4- Subtribe Cleidiinae [3 genera]
5- Subtribe Dysopsidinae [1 genus]
6- Subtribe Lasiococcinae [4 genera]
7- Subtribe Lobaniliinae [1 genus]
8- Subtribe Macaranginae [1 genus]
9- Subtribe Mareyinae [2 genera]
10- Subtribe Mercurialinae [3 genera]
11- Subtribe Ricininae [1 genus]
12- Subtribe Rottlerinae [9 genera]
2- Tribe Adelieae [5 genera]
3- Tribe Agrostistachydeae [4 genera]
4- Tribe Alchorneae [2 subtribes, 7 genera]
1- Subtribe Alchorneinae [4 genera]
2- Subtribe Conceveibinae [3 genera]
5- Tribe Ampereae [2 genera]
6- Tribe Bernardieae [6 genera]
7- Tribe Caryodendreae[3 genera]
8- Tribe Chaetocarpeae [2 genera]
9- Tribe Cheiloseae [2 genera]
10- Tribe Chrozophoreae [4 subtribes, 12 genera]
There are 4 subtribes and 12 genera:
1- Subtribe Chrozophorinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Ditaxinae [5 genera]
3- Subtribe Doryxylinae [4 genera]
4- Subtribe Speranskiinae [1 genus]
11- Tribe Clutieae [1 genus]
12- Tribe Dicoelieae [1 genus]
13- Tribe Epiprineae [2 subtribes, 10 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 10 genera:
1- Subtribe Epiprininae [8 genera]
2- Subtribe Cephalomappinae [2 genera]
14- Tribe Erismantheae [3 genera]
15- Tribe Omphaleae [1 genus]
16- Tribe Pereae [1 genus]
17- Tribe Plukenetieae [3 subtribes, 13 genera]
There are 3 subtribes and 13 genera:
1- Subtribe Dalechampiinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Plukenetiinae [5 genera]
3- Subtribe Tragiinae [7 genera]
18- Tribe Pogonophoreae [1 genus]
19- Tribe Pycnocomeae [2 subtribes, 7 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 7 genera:
1- Subtribe Blumeodendrinae [4 genera]
2- Subtribe Pycnocominae [3 genera]
20- Tribe Sphyranthereae [1 genus
3.1- Subfamily Acalyphoideae
1- Tribe Acalypheae [12 subtribes, 32 genera]
There are 12 subtribes and 32 genera:
1- Subtribe Acalyphinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Adrianinae [1 genus]
3- Subtribe Claoxylinae [5 genera]
4- Subtribe Cleidiinae [3 genera]
5- Subtribe Dysopsidinae [1 genus]
6- Subtribe Lasiococcinae [4 genera]
7- Subtribe Lobaniliinae [1 genus]
8- Subtribe Macaranginae [1 genus]
9- Subtribe Mareyinae [2 genera]
10- Subtribe Mercurialinae [3 genera]
11- Subtribe Ricininae [1 genus]
12- Subtribe Rottlerinae [9 genera]
2- Tribe Adelieae [5 genera]
3- Tribe Agrostistachydeae [4 genera]
4- Tribe Alchorneae [2 subtribes, 7 genera]
1- Subtribe Alchorneinae [4 genera]
2- Subtribe Conceveibinae [3 genera]
5- Tribe Ampereae [2 genera]
6- Tribe Bernardieae [6 genera]
7- Tribe Caryodendreae[3 genera]
8- Tribe Chaetocarpeae [2 genera]
9- Tribe Cheiloseae [2 genera]
10- Tribe Chrozophoreae [4 subtribes, 12 genera]
There are 4 subtribes and 12 genera:
1- Subtribe Chrozophorinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Ditaxinae [5 genera]
3- Subtribe Doryxylinae [4 genera]
4- Subtribe Speranskiinae [1 genus]
11- Tribe Clutieae [1 genus]
12- Tribe Dicoelieae [1 genus]
13- Tribe Epiprineae [2 subtribes, 10 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 10 genera:
1- Subtribe Epiprininae [8 genera]
2- Subtribe Cephalomappinae [2 genera]
14- Tribe Erismantheae [3 genera]
15- Tribe Omphaleae [1 genus]
16- Tribe Pereae [1 genus]
17- Tribe Plukenetieae [3 subtribes, 13 genera]
There are 3 subtribes and 13 genera:
1- Subtribe Dalechampiinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Plukenetiinae [5 genera]
3- Subtribe Tragiinae [7 genera]
18- Tribe Pogonophoreae [1 genus]
19- Tribe Pycnocomeae [2 subtribes, 7 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 7 genera:
1- Subtribe Blumeodendrinae [4 genera]
2- Subtribe Pycnocominae [3 genera]
20- Tribe Sphyranthereae [1 genus
3.2- Subfamily Crotonoideae
1- Tribe Adenoclineae [2 subtribes, 6 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 6 genera:
1- Subtribe Adenoclininae [5 genera]
2- Subtribe Endosperminae [1 genus]
2- Tribe Aleuritideae [6 subtribes, 16 genera]
This tribe has 6 subtribes and 16 genera:
1- Subtribe Aleuritinae [3genera]
2- Subtribe Benoistiinae [1 genus]
3- Subtribe Crotonogyninae [3 genera]
4- Subtribe Garciinae [1 genus]
5- Subtribe Grosserinae [7 genera]
6- Subtribe Neoboutoniinae [1 genus]
3- Tribe Codiaeae [15 genera]
4- Tribe Crotoneae [5 genera]
5- Tribe Elateriospermeae [1 genus]
6- Tribe Gelonieae [2 genera]
7- Tribe Jatropheae [8 genera]
8- Tribe Manihoteae [2 genera]
9- Tribe Micrandreae [4 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 4 genera:
1- Subtribe Heveinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Micrandrinae [3 genera]
10- Tribe Ricinocarpeae [7 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 7 genera:
1- Subtribe Bertyinae [4 genera]
2- Subtribe Ricinocarpinae [3 genera]
11- Tribe Ricinodendreae [3 genera]
12- Tribe Trigonostemoneae [1 genus
1- Tribe Adenoclineae [2 subtribes, 6 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 6 genera:
1- Subtribe Adenoclininae [5 genera]
2- Subtribe Endosperminae [1 genus]
2- Tribe Aleuritideae [6 subtribes, 16 genera]
This tribe has 6 subtribes and 16 genera:
1- Subtribe Aleuritinae [3genera]
2- Subtribe Benoistiinae [1 genus]
3- Subtribe Crotonogyninae [3 genera]
4- Subtribe Garciinae [1 genus]
5- Subtribe Grosserinae [7 genera]
6- Subtribe Neoboutoniinae [1 genus]
3- Tribe Codiaeae [15 genera]
4- Tribe Crotoneae [5 genera]
5- Tribe Elateriospermeae [1 genus]
6- Tribe Gelonieae [2 genera]
7- Tribe Jatropheae [8 genera]
8- Tribe Manihoteae [2 genera]
9- Tribe Micrandreae [4 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 4 genera:
1- Subtribe Heveinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Micrandrinae [3 genera]
10- Tribe Ricinocarpeae [7 genera]
There are 2 subtribes and 7 genera:
1- Subtribe Bertyinae [4 genera]
2- Subtribe Ricinocarpinae [3 genera]
11- Tribe Ricinodendreae [3 genera]
12- Tribe Trigonostemoneae [1 genus
3.3- Subfamily Euphorbioideae
1- Tribe Euphorbieae [3 subtribes, 6 genera]
This tribe has 3 subtribes and 6 genera:
1- Subtribe Anthosteminae [2 genera]
2- Subtribe Euphorbiinae [2 genera]
3- Subtribe Neoguillauminiinae [2 genera]
2- Tribe Hippomaneae [2 subtribes, 33 genera]
This tribe has 2 subtribes and 33 genera:
1- Subtribe Carumbiinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Hippomaninae [32 genera]
3- Tribe Hureae [4 genera]
4- Tribe Pachystromateae [1 genus]
5- Tribe Stomatocalyceae [2 subtribes, 4 genera]
This tribe has 2 subtribes and 4 genera:
1- Subtribe Hamilcoinae [2 genera]
2- Subtribe Stomatocalycinae [2 genera]
1- Tribe Euphorbieae [3 subtribes, 6 genera]
This tribe has 3 subtribes and 6 genera:
1- Subtribe Anthosteminae [2 genera]
2- Subtribe Euphorbiinae [2 genera]
3- Subtribe Neoguillauminiinae [2 genera]
2- Tribe Hippomaneae [2 subtribes, 33 genera]
This tribe has 2 subtribes and 33 genera:
1- Subtribe Carumbiinae [1 genus]
2- Subtribe Hippomaninae [32 genera]
3- Tribe Hureae [4 genera]
4- Tribe Pachystromateae [1 genus]
5- Tribe Stomatocalyceae [2 subtribes, 4 genera]
This tribe has 2 subtribes and 4 genera:
1- Subtribe Hamilcoinae [2 genera]
2- Subtribe Stomatocalycinae [2 genera]
3.4- Subfamilies of the Family Euphorbiaceae that have edible parts
I- Subfamily Acalyphoideae
1- Tribe Acalypheae [12 subtribes, 32 genera]
- Subtribe Ricininae [1 genus]
Genus:
1- Ricinus - castor bean
2- Tribe Plukenetieae [3 subtribes, 13 genera]
- Subtribe Plukenetiinae [5 genera]
Genus:
1- Plukenetia [A type of Oil seeds]
II- Subfamily Crotonoideae
1- Tribe Aleuritideae [6 subtribes, 16 genera]
- Subtribe Aleuritinae [3 genera]
Genus:
1- Aleurites (also Camirium)
2- Tribe Manihoteae [2 genera]
Genus:
1- Manihot (also Hotnima, Janipha, Manihotoides) - Cassava genus
3- Tribe Micrandreae [2 subtribes, 4 genera]
1- Subtribe Heveinae
Genus:
1- Hevea (also Caoutchoua, Micrandra, Siphonanthus, Siphonia)
4- Tribe Ricinodendreae [3 genera]
Genus:
1- Schinziophyton
Source: List of Euphorbiaceae genera - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I- Subfamily Acalyphoideae
1- Tribe Acalypheae [12 subtribes, 32 genera]
- Subtribe Ricininae [1 genus]
Genus:
1- Ricinus - castor bean
2- Tribe Plukenetieae [3 subtribes, 13 genera]
- Subtribe Plukenetiinae [5 genera]
Genus:
1- Plukenetia [A type of Oil seeds]
II- Subfamily Crotonoideae
1- Tribe Aleuritideae [6 subtribes, 16 genera]
- Subtribe Aleuritinae [3 genera]
Genus:
1- Aleurites (also Camirium)
2- Tribe Manihoteae [2 genera]
Genus:
1- Manihot (also Hotnima, Janipha, Manihotoides) - Cassava genus
3- Tribe Micrandreae [2 subtribes, 4 genera]
1- Subtribe Heveinae
Genus:
1- Hevea (also Caoutchoua, Micrandra, Siphonanthus, Siphonia)
4- Tribe Ricinodendreae [3 genera]
Genus:
1- Schinziophyton
Source: List of Euphorbiaceae genera - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
