What substance is often produced by plants in the Euphorbiaceae family?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

weeping willow tree — Malpighiales Weeping willow (*Salix babylonica*).

Many species in the Euphorbiaceae family, which belongs to the order Malpighiales, are characterized by the production of a milky latex.1234

This substance is a complex mixture that often contains poisonous compounds, though it is also economically significant; for example, the latex of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is a primary source of natural rubber. In addition to latex, members of this family are known for producing various oils and waxes.2341