Euphorbia Lathyris (Noun)
Meaning
Poisonous Old World spurge; adventive in America; seeds yield a purgative oil.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The euphorbia lathyris plant, also known as the caper spurge, was originally found in the Old World but has been naturalized as an adventive species in parts of North America.
- It has been confirmed that the seeds of the euphorbia lathyris produce a purgative oil.
- Taxonomists believe the invasive species euphorbia lathyris was unwittingly introduced to new territories through seeds hidden in agricultural equipment.
- The main use for the euphorbia lathyris seeds in traditional medicine during ancient times was that its purgative oil was valuable in promoting catharsis.
- Historically the seeds of this plant were considered valuable for producing medicinal grade euphorbia lathyris purgative oil used as an emetic.