caper spurge

English

A caper spurge plant

Etymology

Named for the resemblance of its toxic fruits to those of the edible caperberry (Capparis spinosa).

Noun

caper spurge (plural caper spurges)

1. An erect, biennial spurge native to southern Europe, northern Africa, and southwest Asia into central Asia, of species Euphorbia lathyris.
   • 1986 January 1, Thomas C. Fuller, Elizabeth May McClintock, Poisonous Plants of California, Univ of California Press, →ISBN, page 136:

     The common name, Caper Spurge, alludes to the resemblance of the spongy capsules to capers, which are young flower buds from quite a different plant, Capparis. Caper Spurge fruits were mistakenly pickled by several women and when ingested caused severe illness.

   • 2015 September, Roger Corea, chapter 4, in The Duesenberg Caper, SelectBooks, Inc., →ISBN:

     "Sounds delightful," Ada said. She looked uneasy. "Have you ever heard of caper spurge poisoning?"
     "Yes, when we go to Mt. Etna, Tazio tells me not to pick the capers with the purple flowers. What do you know about caper spurge?"

Translations

Euphorbia lathyris

• Catalan: cagamuja f
• Greek:

  Ancient: λαθυρίς f (lathurís)

• Italian: catapuzia f