23. EUPHORBIACEAE
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS
DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS OF EUPHORBIACEAE
⚫ PLANTS with Milky or Watery Latex.
⚫ INFLORESENCE is Special Type called Cyathium.
⚫ FLOWERS are Unisexual.
⚫ PERIANTH is One or Two Whorls or Absent.
⚫ STAMENS are One to Many and Free.
⚫ STYLE is Branched in to Three.
⚫ STIGMA is Bifid.
⚫ FRUIT is Schizocarpic Regma, Split in to Three one seeded
Nutlets
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24. EUPHORBIACEAE
GENERAL CHARACTERS
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EUPHORBIACEAE
⚫ PLANTS are Shrubs or Trees and Herbs with Milky Latex.
⚫ ROOT is Much Branched Tap Root.
⚫ STEM is Aerial, Herbaceous or Woody with Milky Latex.
⚫ LEAVES are Simple or Compound, Stipulate, Alternate or Opposite
⚫ INFLORESENCE is Racemose, Cymose or Special Type called
Cyathium.
⚫ FLOWER are Pedicellate, Bracteate, Monochlamydeous, Unisexual,
Monoecious , Actinomorphic and Hypogynous.
⚫ PERIANTH- Tepals- 5, Gamophyllous and Valvate or Imbricate
Aestivation and mostly Sepaloid.
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25. EUPHORBIACEAE
GENERAL CHARACTERS
⚫ ANDROECIUM or MALE FLOWERS
⚫ STAMENS are One to Many and Polyandrous.
⚫ ANTHERS are Dithecous and Dehisce longitudinally
⚫ GYNOECIUM or FEMALE FLOWERS
⚫ OVARY is Tricarpellary, Trilocular, Syncarpous and Superior with
Two Ovules in each Carpel on Axile Placentation.
⚫ STYLE is Branched in to Three and Terminal.
⚫ STIGMA is Bifid.
⚫ POLLINATION is Entomophily.
⚫ FRUIT is Schizocarpic Regma, Split in to Three one seeded Nutlets
⚫ SEEDS are Endospermous and Carunculate.
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26. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF EUPHORBIACEAE
-VEGETATIVE MORPHOLOGY
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF EUPHORBIACEAE
VEGETATIVE MORPHOLOGY
DISTRIBUTION
⚫ The Family Euphorbiaceae is Commonly Called Spurrge Family. It Consists
of 300 Genera and 7500 Species and The members are Cosmopolitan
Distribution, excepts Arctic and other Cold Regions.
HABIT
⚫ Mostly Shrubs - Ricinus
⚫ Trees – Hevea
⚫ Herbs - Acalypha
⚫ Climbing Shrub -Tragia
HABITAT
⚫ Mostly Mesophytes
⚫ Some Xerophytes- Pedilanthus, Euphorbia tirucalli
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27. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF EUPHORBIACEAE
-VEGETATIVE MORPHOLOGY
ROOT
⚫ Mostly Branched Tap Root System.
⚫ Few adventitious Root System- Pedilanthus, Euphorbia tirucalli
⚫ Manihot utilissima, the Roots are Tuberous.
STEM
⚫ Aerial, Erect and Herbaceous with Milky Latex. -Pedilanthus
⚫ Aerial, Erect, Woody with Milky Latex. - Hevea
⚫ Aerial, Erect, Solid and Woody - Phyllanthus emblica
⚫ Aerial, Erect, Hollow and Woody – Ricinus
⚫ Aerial, Weak and Climbing -Tragia cannabina
Phylloclade- Euphorbia Sp.
⚫ In Euphorbia antiquorum , the leaves are modified in to Spines and the
Stem becomes Fleshy Green to carry the Photosynthesis.
⚫ In Euphorbia tirucalli, the leaves are Small and Deciduous and the Stem
becomes Fleshy Green to carry the Photosynthesis.
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28. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF EUPHORBIACEAE
-VEGETATIVE MORPHOLOGY
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LEAVES
Simple, Petiolate, Stipulate, Alternate and Reticulate Venation.
• In Hevea, Leaves are Trifoliate Compound.
• In Phyllanthus emblica, the Leaves are Pinnately Compound.
• In Phyllanthus niruri, the Leaves are look like Compound but
leaves are Small and Simple.
29. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF EUPHORBIACEAE
-VEGETATIVE MORPHOLOGY
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• In Ricinus, the Leaves are Simple and Palmately Lobed
• In Codiaeum variegatum, the Leaves are Variegated.
• In Euphorbia heterophylla, the Leaves near the Cyathium
Infloresence are Petaloid.
30. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF EUPHORBIACEAE
REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY
.
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REPRODUCTIVE
MORPHOLOGY
INFLORESENCE
• The Inflorescence is
Terminal or Axillary.
• In Euphorbia, the
Inflorescence is
Special Type called
Cyathium
31. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF EUPHORBIACEAE
REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY
INFLORESENCE
• In Acalypha, the Inflorescence is Racemose Catkin. The Female
Flowers are at the base and Male Flowers towards the Tip of Peduncle.
• In Ricinus, the Inflorescence is Racemose in which the Male Flowers at
the base and Female Flowers towards the Tip of Peduncle.
• In Jatropha, the Inflorescence is Cyme. The Central Flower is Female
and the Male Flowers are Lateral.
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32. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF
EUPHORBIACEAE
REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY
FLOWER
⚫ Pedicellate, Bracteate, Ebracteolate, Incomplete, Achlamydeous,
Monochlamydeous or Dichlamydeous, Unisexual, Monoecious,
Regular, Actinomorphic and Hypogynous.
⚫ The Perianth consists of One or Two whorls or Absence of Tepals
in Flower.
⚫ Achlamydeous Flower - Tepals are Absent - Euphorbia.
⚫ Monochlamydeous Flower - Tepals are in One Whorl - Croton
Female Flower
⚫ Dichlamydeous Flower – Sepals and Petals are in Two Whorls
- Croton Male Flower, Jatropha
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33. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF
EUPHORBIACEAE
REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY
PERIANTH
⚫ Tepals- 3 to 5, Polyphyllous (Polytepalous) and Valvate or
Imbricate Aestivation and mostly Sepaloid.
⚫ In Ricinus, the Perianth is Gamophyllous
⚫ In Euphorbia, the Perianth is Absent. So, the Flowers are Naked.
⚫ In Croton, the Perianth is differentiated in to Calyx and Corolla.
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34. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF
EUPHORBIACEAE
REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY
MALE FLOWERS
ANDROECIUM
STAMENS are One to Numerous and Polyandrous.
⚫ In Euphorbia, Androecium made up of One Stamen
⚫ In Phyllanthus, Androecium made up of Three Stamens.
⚫ In Ricinus, Androecium made up of Five Stamens.
⚫ In Jatropha, Androecium made up of Ten Stamens.
⚫ In Acalypha, Androecium made up of 8 - 16 Stamens.
⚫ In Croton, Androecium made up of Numerous (80-100) Stamens.
FILAMENT is Simple.
⚫ In Ricinus, the Filament is Highly Branched in Five groups as like Miniature
Tree.
⚫ In Phyllanthus cyclanthera, the Androecium is Synandrous. (Fused Ring
like Structure of Filaments and Anthers)
ANTHERS are Dithecous, Basifixed and Dehisce longitudinally.
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35. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF
EUPHORBIACEAE
REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY
FEMALE FLOWERS
GYNOECIUM
⚫ OVARY is Tricarpellary, Trilocular, Syncarpous and Superior with
One or Two Ovules in each Carpel on Axile Placentation.
⚫ STYLE is Branched in to Three and Terminal.
⚫ STIGMA is Bifid.
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36. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF
EUPHORBIACEAE
REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY
POLLINATION is Entomophily.
FRUIT is Schizocarpic Regma, Split in to Three one seeded Nutlets
SEEDS are Endospermous and Caruncle.
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37. EUPHORBIACEAE
CYATHIUM INFLORESENCE
.
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CYATHIUM INFLORESENCE
• It is a Special Type of Inflorescence.
• It is a Condensed form of Cup Shaped Inflorescence with One or
Two Nectar Glands on the Outer Surface of Cup.
• The Inflorescence is made up of Five Bracts that Fused to form
Cup shaped Involucre with a single Central Female Flower
surrounded by Five Groups of Male Flowers.
38. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF
EUPHORBIACEAE
REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY
FEMALE FLOWER
⚫ Female Flower is Single at the Centre of Cup Shaped Involucre.
⚫ The Female Flower is Pedicellate and Naked.
⚫ The Female Flower is consist of only Gynoecium.
GYNOECIUM
⚫ OVARY is Tricarpellary, Trilocular, Syncarpous and Superior with
One or Two Ovules in each Carpel on Axile Placentation.
⚫ STYLE is Branched in to Three and Terminal.
⚫ STIGMA is Bifid.
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39. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF
EUPHORBIACEAE
REPRODUCTIVE MORPHOLOGY
MALE FLOWERS
⚫ Male Flowers are Numerous and are arranged in Five Scorpiod
Groups.
⚫ Each Group arises in the axil of a Bract.
⚫ The Male Flowers are Pedicellate and Naked.
⚫ Each Male Flower is consist of Single Stamen born on a Stalk with
a Distinct Joint representing the Thalamus.
STAMEN
⚫ FILAMENT is Simple at Tip of Pedicel.
⚫ ANTHERS are Dithecous, Basifixed and Dehisce Longitudinally
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40. EUPHORBIACEAE
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF Ricinus Sp.
HABIT
⚫ Highly Branched Shrub or Small Tree.
HABITAT
⚫ Mesophytes
ROOT
⚫ Branched Tap Root System.
STEM
⚫ Aerial, Erect, Hollow and Woody.
LEAVES
⚫ Simple, Palmately Lobed, Petiolate, Stipulate, Alternate and
Reticulate Venation.
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41. EUPHORBIACEAE
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF Ricinus Sp.
INFLORESENCE
⚫ The Inflorescence is Terminal and Racemose Panicle in which the
Male Flowers at the base and Female Flowers towards the Tip of
Peduncle.
FLOWER
⚫ Pedicellate, Bracteate, Ebracteolate, Incomplete, Unisexual,
Regular, Actinomorphic and Hypogynous.
MALE FLOWERS
PERIANTH
⚫ Tepals- 5, Polyphyllous and Valvate Aestivation and mostly
Sepaloid.
ANDROECIUM
⚫ STAMENS are 5 and Polyandrous.
⚫ FILAMENT is Highly Branched and End with Anthers.
⚫ ANTHERS are Dithecous, Basifixed and Dehisce longitudinally
.
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43. EUPHORBIACEAE
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF Ricinus Sp.
FEMALE FLOWERS
PERIANTH
⚫ Tepals- 3, Polyphyllous and Valvate Aestivation and mostly
Sepaloid.
GYNOECIUM
⚫ OVARY is Tricarpellary, Trilocular, Syncarpous and Superior with
One Ovule in each Carpel on Axile Placentation.
⚫ STYLE is Branched in to Three and Terminal.
⚫ STIGMA is Bifid.
POLLINATION is Entomophily.
FRUIT is Schizocarpic- Regma, Split in to Three one seeded Nutlets
SEEDS are Endospermous and Carunculate.
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44. EUPHORBIACEAE
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF EUPHORBIACEAE
PHYLLANTHUS ACIDUS - STAR GOOSE BERRY
⚫ Fruits are Rich Source of Vitamin-C and are Edible.
⚫ Fruits are used in the Preparation of Pickles and Jam.
⚫ Fruits are used for Cardiac Disease, Piles, Blood Clotting.
PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA - GOOSE BERRY
⚫ Fruits are Rich Source of Vitamin-C and are Edible.
⚫ Fruits are used in the Preparation of Pickles and Jam.
⚫ Fruits are used for Cardiac Disease, Anemia, Greyness of Hairs.
PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI – STONE BREAKER
⚫ Plant Juice is Good Medicine for Jaundice and Dissolves Stones in
Kidney.
⚫ The Juice of Leaves is Diuretic, Stop Bleeding from Gums.
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45. EUPHORBIACEAE
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
MANIHOT ESCULENTA -TAPIOCA
⚫ The Starchy Tuberous Roots are Edible.
RICINUS COMMUNIS – CASTER
⚫ Seed Oil is used as Arthritis, Purgative.
⚫ Oil is Used as a Lubricant.
CODIAEUM VARIEGATUM –GARDEN CROTONS
⚫ Grown as Leafy Ornamental Plants in Gardens and Parks.
ACALYPHA HISPIDA -FOXTAIL
⚫ Grown as Leafy Ornamental Plants in Garden and Park.
ACALYPHA INDICA -INDIAN ACALYPHA
⚫ Plant Decoction is used as Laxative.
⚫ Plant Juice is used to cure Pneumonia, Asthma.
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46. EUPHORBIACEAE
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
HEVEA BRASILIENSIS –PARA RUBBER – RUBBER TREE
⚫ Rubber is Obtained from the Milky Latex of Trunk of Tree that used to
manufacture of Tubes and Tyres.
JATROPHA CURCAS -PURGING NUT
⚫ It Contains Curcin that used as Purgative.
⚫ Seed Oil is used as Biodiesel and used for the Manufacture of Soaps,
Candle and Lubricant.
TRAGIA CANNABINA –INDIAN STINGING NETTLE
⚫ Roots are used for Venereal Diseases.
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47. EUPHORBIACEAE
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
EUPHORBIA ANTIQUORUM -TRIANGULAR SPRUGE
⚫ Juices used in Neurological (Pains in Nerves) and useful for Skin
Diseases.
⚫ Latex used for Dyspepsia (Indigestion), Abdominal Disorders, Mental
Disorders, Nasal Catarrh
EUPHORBIA TIRUCALLI -INDIAN TREE SPRUGE
⚫ Latex used for Warts, Rheumatism, Neurological (Pains in Nerves),
Toothache, Asthma and Earache.
EUPHORBIA PULCHERRIMA -CHRISTMAS FLOWER
⚫ Leaves and Flowers used as Laxative, Increase Secretion of Milk in
Nourishing Mother and useful in Skin Diseases.
⚫ Grown as Ornamental Plants
EUPHORBIA HETEROPHYLLA -ELAI MEL ROJA
⚫ Grown as Leafy Ornamental Plants in Gardens and Parks.
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48. EUPHORBIACEAE
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
PEDILANTHUS Sp.
⚫ Ornamental Herbs that Grown as Marginal or Hedge Plants in Gardens
and Parks.
CROTON SPARSIFLORUS
⚫ Latex is used for Cuts and Wounds.
⚫ The plant is a Rich source of Potash and nitrogen. So, it’s Used as
Good Green Manure.
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