The Spurge Family
Spurge Family - Euphorbiaceae
Castor-oil Plant Ricinus communisNative to Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Widely introduced through tropical and warm temperate parts of the world for animal food and its medicinal properties; readily self seeds into rough and waste ground, sometimes prolifically so.
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Balsam Spurge Euphorbia balsamifera
Native to the Canary Islands and nearby North-west Africa. A very common, low shrub in Fuerteventura and one of the main components of plant communities on stony hillsides.
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Jandía Spurge Euphorbia handiensis
A very rare plant, endemic to just a few locations at the southern end of Fuerteventura.
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Canary Islands Spurge Euphorbia canariensis
Native and endemic to the Canary Islands. Also widely used as an amenity and garden plant.
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False Caper Euphorbia terracina
Possibly native to the Canary Islands. Widespread across the islands but often localised in cultivated and disturbed ground.
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