''Euphorbia dendroides'', also known as tree spurge, is a small

tree In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...

or large shrub of the family

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants. In English, they are also commonly called euphorbias, which is also the name of a genus in the family. Most spurges, such as '' Euphorbia paralias'', are herbs, but some, ...

that grows in

semi-arid A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a desert climate. There are different kinds of semi- ...

and

mediterranean climate A Mediterranean climate (also called a dry summer temperate climate ''Cs'') is a temperate climate sub-type, generally characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, fairly wet winters; these weather conditions are typically experienced in the ...

Distribution and habitat

''Euphorbia dendroides'' has a wide distribution throughout the

Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the ...

, from the Balearic Islands in the west to the Aegean Islands in the east. It is found primarily in Europe and is restricted to northern Tunisia in North Africa. 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 Traditional medicine (also known as indigenous medicine or folk medicine) comprises medical aspects of traditional knowledge that developed over generations within the folk beliefs of various societies, including indigenous peoples, before the ...

; like many other species of genus ''

Euphorbia ''Euphorbia'' is a very large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the family Euphorbiaceae. "Euphorbia" is sometimes used in ordinary English to collectively refer to all members of Euphorbiaceae (in deference to t ...

''Lletereses
/ref> its

toxic Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a subs ...

white and sticky

sap Sap is a fluid transported in xylem cells (vessel elements or tracheids) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. These cells transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. Sap is distinct from latex, resin, or cell sap; it is a separ ...

has been used to treat skin excrescences, like cancers, tumors, and

wart Warts are typically small, rough, hard growths that are similar in color to the rest of the skin. They typically do not result in other symptoms, except when on the bottom of the feet, where they may be painful. While they usually occur on the ...

s since ancient times.

Gallery

File:Flore coloriée de poche du littoral méditerranéen de Gênes à Barcelone y compris la Corse (6244468168).jpg, Flora illustration File:Euforbia dendroides01.jpg, Vegetative part File:Euphorbia dendroides4 ies.jpg, Detail of the leaves File:Euphorbia dendroides Zingaro 0054.JPG, Global shape with flowers File:Ota Porto euphorbe arborescent.jpg, Detail of the flowers File:Euphorbia dendroides kz1.JPG, Capsule

References

External links

dendroides Least concern plants Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Flora of Malta {{Euphorbia-stub