The
Euphorbiaceae was recently split into several families. The species
retained within the family are quite disparate and occur in many habitats,
and include native shrubs and herbs each as well as the common naturalised herbs in
the genus Euphorbia. The flowers are unisexual, with superior ovaries that are usually three
lobed. The flowers range from extremely reduced (e.g. Euphorbia,
Amperea) to large and obvious (e.g. Ricinocarpos) with
intermediates (e.g. Beyeria). Of
the other genera previously included in Euphorbiaceae, Micrantheum
is now in Picrodendraceae,
but Oreoporanthera, Phyllanthus, Poranthera, Pseudanthus are
now in Phyllanthaceae.
|