Ricinus communis

Ricinus communis Castor oil plant

Ricino

This attractive plant can grow as high as 5 metres tall. It was native to SE Mediterranean,  East Africa and India but has now naturalised in many warm climates. It had largish, glossy green leaves, often tinged red and flowers from April to September. It can cause severe allergies, especially Asthma and also allergic reactions to anyone allergic to Ricinus could develop skin rashes. The fruit, bean-like structures are highly poisonous and could cause death in large quantities. Castor oil is a lubricant for motors.

Mercurialis annua

Mercurialis annua Annual Mercury

This annual herb grows from 10-70cm tall and is found in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East but is now found on several continents due to introduction. It has a difficult sexuality and is popular for sientific study. The male flowers are spiked in a cluster from the leaf axils and the female flowers are at the base of the leaf axils. It flowers from March to May, The fruit is a bristly capsule.

Euphorbia tirucalli

 Euphorbia tirucalli Indian tree spurge

Árbol de los dedos

This toxic shrub is native to Africa and the Arabian peninsula. I found it growing in the stone desert near to Albaricoques Almería. It may have naturalised as it is a semi-arid plant from tropical regions. It produces latex which can be converted to gasoline. It is extremely toxic to the skin and mucosa. Deaths have occurred due to people swallowing the latex.

Euphorbia segetalis

Euphorbia segetalis Field spurge

This Spurge flowers all through the year, as long as there is the occassional rain. It is thought to be a native of the Canary Islands, and is now naturalised throughout the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. It grows from 20~40cms tall and is considered a pest in places. It is found in fields, wasteland and olive groves. It has an erect stem as shown here, often red in colour. I will try to get better photos of the flower.

Euphorbia nicaeensis

Euphorbia nicaeensis  Euphorbia

This Euphorbia had finished flowering when I found it. It is a herbaceous perennial with lemon coloured flowers and grows from 30~80cms tall. It is native to the Iberian peninsula, Italy, Croatia, Turkey and Algeria.

Euphorbia characias

Euphorbia characias Large Mediterranean spurge

This large Mediterranean spurge is as it's name suggests native to the Med. Now it is cultivated all over the world as a structural plant for gardens. It can grow from 50cms to 1.5metres and flowers from March to June in the wild.

Ricinis communis

Ricinis communis Castor oil plant

Ricino
This shrub can grow between 2-5metres tall and flowers from April to January. It is not frost hardy and can be knocked back to the ground, to re-shoot again in the spring. It's seeds are the source of Castor oil, which has many uses, but they also contain Ricin (a toxin). It is said that 4-8 beans are lethal in humans. It was originally native to the Mediterranean basin, East Africa and India. It is now found all over the world in tropical regions.

Euphorbia helioscopia

Euphorbia helioscopia Sun spurge

This Spurge can grow 10-50cms tall and is native to most of Europe, Africa and towards Asia.

Euphorbia serrata

Euphorbia serrata Serrated spurge

Lecheruela

This Euphorbia is native to Europe and flowers from February to June. It can grow to a height of 50cms.