euphorbia

[yoo-fawr-bee-uh]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Euphorbia, comprising the spurges.

euphorbia

/ juːˈfɔːbɪə /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Euphorbia, such as the spurges and poinsettia: family Euphorbiaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of euphorbia¹

1350–1400; Middle English euforbia for Latin euphorbea, an African plant named after Euphorbos, a Greek physician

Word History and Origins

Origin of euphorbia¹

C14 euforbia: from Latin euphorbea African plant named after Euphorbus, first-century _ad Greek physician

Example Sentences

Euphorbia pulcherrima, adapted well to the southern states, and by the early 1900s, Albert Ecke, a German immigrant dairy farmer and orchardist in Eagle Rock, saw its potential as a cut flower for Christmas bouquets.

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In my home garden, Arum italicum, Euphorbia cyparissus and Ranunculus ficaria, once purchased as desirable perennials, now run roughshod through less competitive plantings.

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Euphorbia milii is a plant that can be loved but never liked.

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“He was the most wonderful, thoughtful, and loving husband, a caring son, a wise brother, a strong friend, a brave veteran, a euphorbia enthusiast, a meticulous lighting technician, and a stickler for safety at work.”

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Ascribed in the 19th century, the Latin name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, means “the most beautiful” of a diverse genus with a milky sap of latex.

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