noun
spurge
SPURJ/spˈɝdʒ/
A plant of the euphorbia family with milky sap.
The cut spurge stem shows a bead of milky white sap.
Etymology
The pieces mean to purge or cleanse out. The plant was named for the milky juice in its root, whose purgative and vomiting-inducing effects emptied the body.
In context
The spurge Moth as its name suggests feeds only on spurge a highly poisonous member of the euphobia family this diet makes the caterpillar itself poisonous
More examples
- Spurge grows along the edge of our driveway.
- She plants ornamental spurges beside the stone wall.
- Wear gloves when trimming spurge to avoid its irritating sap.
Forms
spurge · spurges
Similar words
- euphorbia
- Specifically names plants in the genus Euphorbia, often in gardening.