Euphorbia terracina

Euphorbia terracina
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Euphorbiaceae
Genus:	Euphorbia
Species:	E. terracina
Binomial name
Euphorbia terracina L.

Euphorbia terracina, commonly known as the Geraldton carnation weed and False caper, is a species of perennial herb in the family Euphorbiaceae. It has a self-supporting growth form and simple, broad leaves. Flowers are visited by Lipotriches brachysoma, Lipotriches natalensis, Lipotriches crassula, and Nomia bouyssoui.[1][2] It produces small, three lobed fruits, with each lobe containing one seed.[3]

Distribution

Euphorbia terracina is natively distributed in Mediterranean climate regions of Northern Africa, temperate Asia, and some areas of Europe. It is an invasive weed in other similar climate regions mainly in Australia and the U.S. state of California.[4][5] It allelopathically inhibitit growth of surrounding plants.[6]

Toxicity

See also: Euphorbia

Euphorbia terracina is toxic to both humans and livestock. As with many other Euphorbia species, exposure to its milky sap may cause irritation to skin, eyes, and digestive tracts.[4][5]

Uses

In some regions of Algeria, the sap of Euphorbia terracina is used to treat warts. The sap has been found to demonstrate antioxidative properties[7]

Sources

 This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from Euphorbia terracina​. Encyclopedia of Life.

References

1. "Euphorbia terracina L. - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
2. Mifsud, Stephen (2002-08-23). "Euphorbia terracina (Coastal Spurge) : MaltaWildPlants.com - the online Flora of the Maltese Islands". www.maltawildplants.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
3. Riordan, Erin C.; Rundel, Philip W.; Brigham, Christy; Tiszler, John (2008). "Morphological Traits and Invasive Potential of the Alien Euphorbia Terracina (euphorbiaceae) in Coastal Southern California". Madroño. 55 (1): 52–59. ISSN 0024-9637.
4. CABI (2022-01-07). Euphorbia terracina (false caper) (Report). doi:10.1079/cabicompendium.21379.
5. "Euphorbia terracina Calflora". www.calflora.org. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
6. "Euphorbia terracina Profile – California Invasive Plant Council". Retrieved 2024-04-17.
7. Zeghad, Farida; Djılanı, Salah Eddine; Djılanı, Abdelouaheb; Dıcko, Amadou (2016). "Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of three Euphorbia species". Turkish Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 13 (1): 22–37. doi:10.5505/tjps.2016.29491. ISSN 1304-530X.