Practice question

Latex presence abundant in Euphorbiaceae: articulated and non-articulated laticifers produce milky white emulsion containing rubber polyisoprene, diterpene esters phorbol irritant, triterpenoids and starch. Latex exudes after wound sealing laticifer rupture, deterring herbivores and pathogens. Leaves often with paired glands at petiole base stipular, cyathium pseudanthium cup-like involucre in Euphorbia, tricarpellary three-locular ovary schizocarp separating into cocci. Cucurbitaceae sap watery bitter cucurbitacins with tendrils coiling, Rutaceae aromatic oil cavities in leaves, Apiaceae resin ducts but not milky. Consequently milky latex serves as important chemotaxonomic diagnostic, though other families like Apocynaceae also produce latex convergently.