Euphorbia dendroides

Euphorbia dendroides
Stem, leaves and flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species: E. dendroides
Binomial name
Euphorbia dendroides
L.

Euphorbia dendroides, also known as Tree Spurge, is a small tree of the Euphorbiaceae family that grows in semi-arid and mediterranean climates.

Distribution and habitat

It has a wide distribution in the Mediterranean Basin, from the Iberian Peninsula to Egypt. This plant is sensitive to frost, so it only grows on protected and sunny mountainsides in hilly areas. It has been introduced to other countries out of its original range as an ornamental tree.

Description

This bush also has uses in traditional medicine; like many other species of genus Euphorbia[1] its toxic white and sticky sap has been used to treat skin excrescences, like cancers, tumors, and warts since ancient times.

Notes

  1. Lletereses
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