Leafy spurge
Euphorbia esula subsp. esula · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (6 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Leafy spurge, scientifically known as Euphorbia esula subsp. esula, is a perennial herbaceous plant notorious for its invasive tendencies in pastures. Characterized by milky sap and yellowish flowers, it competes aggressively with native vegetation. While historically studied for medicinal properties, it remains primarily managed as a significant agricultural weed.
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Leafy Spurge
- Scientific synonyms
- Euphorbia Esula F. Esulifolia · Euphorbia Virgata F. Esulifolia · 91 more
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- Leafy spurge
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Euphorbia esula subsp. esulaSynonyms
- Euphorbia esula f. esulifolia
- Euphorbia virgata f. esulifolia
- Euphorbia esula subsp. aragonensis
- Euphorbia pinifolia
- Euphorbia riparia
- Euphorbia esula f. octoradiata
- Euphorbia tristis
- Galarhoeus esula subsp. nakaii
- Galarhoeus esula var. nakaii
- Galarhoeus gmelinii
- Euphorbia nakaii f. caespitosa
- Euphorbia discolor var. glabra
- Galarhoeus esula f. caespitosus
- Galarhoeus kaleniczenkii
- Galarhoeus esula f. littoralis
- Euphorbia discolor var. pilosa
- Galarhoeus esula var. hondoensis
- Galarhoeus lunulatus
- Galarhoeus esula var. maackii
- Euphorbia discolor
- Euphorbia nakaii var. hondoensis
- Galarhoeus mandshuricus
- Galarhoeus esula f. maackii
- Euphorbia esula var. elata
- Euphorbia ararica
- Galarhoeus lunulatus var. obtusifolius
- Euphorbia chankoana
- Euphorbia lunulata var. obtusifolia
- Euphorbia gmelinii var. angustifolia
- Euphorbia androsaemifolia
- Galarhoeus esula subsp. maackii
- Euphorbia mandshurica
- Euphorbia esula var. parvifolia
- Euphorbia maackii
- Euphorbia esula var. subracemosa
- Euphorbia lunulata
- Euphorbia esula proles paludosa
- Euphorbia loreyi
- Euphorbia esula var. loreyi
- Euphorbia kaleniczenkoi
- Euphorbia esula subsp. mosana
- Euphorbia imperfoliata
- Euphorbia discolor f. gracilis
- Euphorbia intermedia
- Tithymalus esula subsp. mosanus
- Euphorbia esula var. mosana
- Tithymalus esula subsp. pseudocyparissias
- Euphorbia esula var. pinifolia
- Tithymalus esula subsp. riparia
- Euphorbia esula subsp. pseudocyparissias
- Tithymalus esula subsp. tristis
- Euphorbia esula var. riparia
- Tithymalus filicinus
- Euphorbia esula subsp. tristis
- Tithymalus discolor
- Euphorbia esula subsp. chankoana
- Tithymalus glomerulans
- Euphorbia fleurotii
- Tithymalus gmelinii
- Euphorbia filicina
- Tithymalus androsaemifolius
- Euphorbia filicina var. alpina
- Tithymalus chankoanus
- Euphorbia filicina var. montana
- Tithymalus nakaianus
- Euphorbia glomerulans
- Tithymalus mandshuricus
- Euphorbia gmelinii
- Tithymalus lunulatus
- Euphorbia nakaiana
- Tithymalus linifolius
- Euphorbia nakaii
- Tithymalus imperfoliatus
- Euphorbia mosana
- Tithymalus tristis
- Euphorbia minxianensis
- Euphorbia octoradiata
- Euphorbia paludosa
- Euphorbia pseudocyparissias
- Euphorbia salicetorum
- Euphorbia takouensis
- Esula dalechampii
- Esula angustifolia
- Esula ararica
- Esula vulgaris
- Esula pseudocyparissias
- Esula riparia
- Esula salicetorum
- Euphorbia esula var. ararica
- Euphorbia androsaemifolia subsp. salicetorum
- Euphorbia esula var. angustifolia
- Euphorbia esula var. salicetorum
- Euphorbia nakaii f. littoralis
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Esels-Wolfsmilch
French:
- euphorbe âcre
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae and the genus Euphorbia. Specifically, it is identified as the subspecies Euphorbia esula subsp. esula.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus | Euphorbia |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions within the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is well-documented in Denmark and Great Britain. It can also be found extending further north through the territories of Norway and Sweden. Moving toward the center of the continent, the species is established in Middle Europe. Specifically, its range includes the mountainous landscapes of Austria.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain |
| Northern Europe | Norway |
| Northern Europe | Sweden |
| Middle Europe | Austria |
| Middle Europe | Belgium |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia |
| Middle Europe | Germany |
| Middle Europe | Hungary |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Chemicals
Euphorbia esula subsp. esula has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gallic acid, Hyperin, Quercetin 3-O-(2'',3''-digalloyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside, quercetin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Gallic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hyperin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quercetin 3-O-(2'',3''-digalloyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Gallic acid
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Hyperin
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Quercetin 3-O-(2'',3''-digalloyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
quercetin
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Preparations
Euphorbia esula subsp. esula has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include acetone extract.
| Preparation | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Acetone extract | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Acetone extract
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin