Euphorbia maculata
Euphorbia maculata, commonly known as spotted spurge, is a resilient annual herb found in various tropical and subtropical regions. Characterized by its distinctive reddish spots on the stems, this plant is recognized in traditional medicine for its diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing potential in various cultures.
- Scientific name: Euphorbia maculata
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Europe
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. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Euphorbia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Euphorbia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Euphorbia maculata, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In German, it is called Gefleckte Wolfsmilch, while in Arabic, it is known as فربيون ملطخ. In Azerbaijani, the name used is Xallı südləyən, and in French, it is identified as Euphorbe maculée. Finally, in Russian, the plant is commonly called Молочай пятнистый.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Gefleckte Wolfsmilch | Wikidata |
| ar | فربيون ملطخ | Wikidata |
| az | Xallı südləyən | Wikidata |
| fr | Euphorbe maculée | Wikidata |
| ru | Молочай пятнистый | Wikidata |
| zh | 斑地锦 | Wikidata |
| sv | Fläcktörel | Wikidata |
| pt | Chamaesyce maculata | Wikidata |
| cy | Llaethlys brych | Wikidata |
| hsb | Blečkata mlóčeń | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found growing in Austria and Belgium. It also inhabits the territories of both Czechia and Slovakia. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant extends through Germany.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Euphorbia maculata, is primarily utilized in its form as whole herbs, encompassing the stems, leaves, and flowering structures. As a herbaceous annual, the entire above-ground vegetative body is often harvested for its medicinal properties, which are thought to be distributed throughout the various herb tissues. When prepared for traditional remedies, these green herbs are processed to extract the bioactive compounds contained within the plant's delicate anatomy.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| herbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Euphorbia maculata has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include isoprenoids, polyphenols, tannins, terpenoids, triterpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| isoprenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Euphorbia maculata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |