Definition

A type of plant that belongs to the genus Euphorbia, known for its milky sap and small flowers that are often surrounded by a cup-like structure.

Example

The garden was filled with colorful spurge plants that attracted many butterflies.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a spurge plant in the garden?

Yeah, I think I spotted one last week; they're quite unique.

I love how their flowers look, so different from others.

Totally! Plus, the milky juice they have is pretty interesting.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Spurge originates from Old French *espurge*, meaning to purge or cleanse. The word refers to plants that were historically used for their purgative properties.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old French word for cleansing ('espurge') to remember that 'spurge' refers to plants used to cleanse or purge.

Visually Confused Words