Euphorbias can probably be described as lactiferous as the sap of these plants looks very like milk. Don't go drinking it though, as it's a strong irritant.
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Lactiferous
Euphorbias can probably be described as lactiferous as the sap of these plants looks very like milk. Don't go drinking it though, as it's a strong irritant.
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19 comments:
You could probably write a story entitled 'Don't lick a euphorbia'.
What Liz said!
In our country people have started saying that euphorbia causes cancer...I have no idea how...milk or leaves or the plant itself.
That's a word I don't ever see myself using. LOL. And yikes, where do those plants grow?
Haven't seen this word used but guessed the meaning because of lactose and lactating!
Hi Patsy - I'm not keen on those type of plants ... sappy mess, often quite unhealthy for us humans ... it's a good one - but one I'd rather not use! Cheers Hilary
Never heard of that plant but it would make a good study for a painting. The colours are beautiful. I don't think I would ever use lactiferous, but feel I should widen my vocabulary.
Maybe - not sure I want to!
Doesn't sound like my genre.
If you look hard enough, I expect it's possible to find a story about anything causing cancer, Olivia.
The ones in the photo are in my garden, Crystal.
This one is logical, Rosemary.
I like them, Hilary - but I am careful when handling them.
I'd rather admire the plants than try to slip the word into casual conversation, Maggie.
This post got me wondering about lettuce. I grow lots of lettuce and I'm always struck by the fact that it also has a milky fluid dripping out. (Hey, now I know this new word, I can say, '...it is also lactiferous.') And so of course I had to Google it, and found the quote, often repeated, that 'Most lactiferous plants are poisonous, except those with compound flowers, which are generally innocent.' The quote is from the early nineteenth century, I think. But this is definitely one of those cases where the proof of the pudding is in the eating, seeing so many people eat lettuce safely.
I'm a keen vegetable and fruit gardener, so I'm going to be looking further into this. We often eat dandelions in our household, and I think they are lactiferous also. (Ooh, I do love this word.)
Catherine
That's interesting, Catherine. I was aware that lettuce and dandelions were lactiferous and edible whereas other lactiferous plants aren't, but hadn't thought of the flowers being different.
I hope you're remembering these words and using them in your writing, Patsy 😀
Yeah, a succulent, isn't it?
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