Etymology The common name "spurge" derives from the Middle English/Old French espurge ("to purge"), due to the use of the plant's sap as a purgative. The botanical name Euphorbia derives from Euphorbos, the Greek physician of King Juba II of Numidia and Mauretania (52–50 BC – 23 AD), who married the daughter of Anthony and Cleopatra. Juba was a prolific writer on various subjects, including natural history. Euphorbos wrote that one of the cactus-like euphorbias (now called Euphorbia obtusifolia ssp. regis-jubae) was used as a powerful laxative. In 12 BC, Juba named this plant after his physician Euphorbos, as Augustus Caesar had dedicated a statue to the brother of Euphorbos, Antonius Musa, who was the personal physician of Augustus. In 1753, botanist and taxonomist Carl Linnaeus assigned the name Euphorbia to the entire genus in the physician's honor.
Etymology The common name "spurge" derives from the Middle English/Old French espurge ("to purge") due to the use of the plant's sap as a purgative The botanical name Euphorbia derives from Euphorbos the Greek physician of King Juba II of Numidia and Mauretania (52–50 BC – 23 AD) who married the daughter of Anthony and Cleopatra Juba was a prolific writer on various subjects including natural history Euphorbos wrote that one of the cactus-like euphorbias (now called Euphorbia obtusifolia ssp regis-jubae) was used as a powerful laxative In 12 BC Juba named this plant after his physician Euphorbos as Augustus Caesar had dedicated a statue to the brother of Euphorbos Antonius Musa who was the personal physician of Augustus In 1753 botanist and taxonomist Carl Linnaeus assigned the name Euphorbia to the entire genus in the physician's honor