EUPHORBIA HELIOSCOPIA L: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Abstract

Sun spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia L., Euphorbiaceae family) is an annual plant, native to mostof northern Africa, Europe and eastward through most of Asia. It emerges from Novemberto December and invades winter crops and vegetables, such as wheat, lentil, chickpea,potato, and pea. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and arepollinated by flies. Seedlings of E. helioscopia L exhibit epigeal germination. This plantshowed various types of biological activities such as an antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial,nematicidal, an antifungal and molluscicidal effects. The presence of secondary metabolitesrevealed that the plant Euphorbia helioscopia L can be used in future for finding variousbiological potential for prevention of various human diseases