euphorbia

eu·phor·bia

noun \yü-ˈfȯr-bē-ə\

Definition of EUPHORBIA

: any of a large genus (Euphorbia) of herbs, shrubs, and trees of the spurge family that have a milky juice and flowers lacking a calyx and included in an involucre which surrounds a group of several staminate flowers and a central pistillate flower with 3-lobed pistils; broadly : spurge

Origin of EUPHORBIA

New Latin, alteration of Latin euphorbea, from Euphorbus, 1st century a.d. Greek physician

First Known Use: 14th century