Box or box-tree (Buxus sempervirens) is a highly poisonous hardy evergreen shrub or small tree, about four metres tall, of the family Euphorbiaceae with green twigs bearing many opposite, almost sessile, dark-green, entire, ovate leaves with smooth shiny leathery surfaces. The flowers appear in early spring and are borne in small clusters of whitish-green unisexual flowers consisting of a terminal female flower surrounded by several male flowers growing from the upper leaf axils. The fruit is an ovoid capsule. The wood is of a yellowish colour, close-grained, very hard and heavy, and admits of a beautiful polish. On these accounts it is much used by turners, wood-carvers, engravers on wood (no wood surpassing it in this respect), and mathematical-instrument makers.
Flutes and other wind-instruments are formed of it. The box of commerce comes mostly from the regions adjoining the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, and has been declining since the 19th century. In gardens and shrubberies box-trees may often be seen clipped into various formal shapes. There is also a dwarf variety reared as an edging for garden walks and the like.
The candle nut or candlebery tree (Aleurites triloba and Aleurites moluccana) are evergreen trees belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, and grow wild in the Pacific islands. They are characterized by large, thick maple-like alternate leaves and clusters of small white flowers. The nuts are very rich in oil, and are sometimes used as torches for fishing by. Research Candle Nut
Cassava (Manihot utilissima) is a South American shrub of the family Euphorbiaceae. It grows to about 2.4 metres in height and has broad, shiny leaves roughly in the shape of a human hand and attractive white and pink flowers. The root is used in cooking. Research Cassava
The castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) or castor bean is a highly poisonous variable herb, shrub or tree (depending upon climate) of the family Euphorbiaceae, native to India and tropical Africa. It has large, reddish coloured leaves which are long-stalked, alternate and palmate with coarsely toothed segments. Terminating the stems are panicle-like inflorescences of green monoecious flowers, the stalked female flowers above the male flowers below, both without petals. The fruit is a spiny, greenish capsule with large, oval, shiny, bean-like, highly poisonous seeds with variable brownish mottling on a whitish background. Research Castor Oil Plant
Croton is a genus of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees, of the natural order Euphorbiaceae, comprehending a great number of species, many of which possess important medical properties. The more remarkable species are Croton Cascarilla, a native of the West Indies and Florida, which yields the cascarilla bark, a valuable aromatic tonic; Croton lacciferum, a native of the East Indies, said to furnish the finest of all the sorts of lac; Croton Tiglium, an inhabitant of the East Indies, from the seeds of which croton-oil is extracted; and Croton Draco, a Mexican plant, which yields a red resinous substance used in making varnish. Croton Pseudo-china, the copalche plant, yields the bark of that name, but Croton bidsamiferum, Croton aromaticum, and Croton thuriferum are merely aromatic. Research Croton
Dog's-mercury (Mercurialis perennis) is a herb of the natural order Euphorbiaceae, common in Britain. It has poisonous properties, and may be made to yield a fugitive blue dye. Research Dog's-Mercury
Euphorbiaceae is the spurgeworts family of plants, distributed over most of the tropical and temperate regions of the globe, especially the warmer parts of America. They are either trees, shrubs or herbs, some having the external form of the cactus family. Nearly all the members of this large tribe possess a juice, often milky, which is highly acrid and narcotic. Research Euphorbiaceae
Abbreviations
Research Candle Nut
