Genus Euphorbia L. (Euphorbiaceae)Euphorbia is the type genus of Euphorbiaceae while all species have milky juice. All succulent Euphorbia spp. contains poisonous sap in which people maybe poisoned by even touching the plant. Some of the poison are extremely dangerous. Euphorbia is a huge genus having around 2,000 species dispersed over nearly the whole world. Over 80 could be found in China including 11 in Hong Kong.
Euphorbia atoto inhabits sandy seashore area giving its common name Littoral Euphorbia. It is a restricted species in Hong Kong but quite widespread in South and South-east Asia even to Australia. Flowers are tiny and unisexual which is quite hard to see clearly in the field.
