Chrozophora is a plant genus of the family Euphorbiaceae first described as a genus in 1824.Jussieu, Adrien Henri Laurent de. 1824. De Euphorbiacearum Generibus Medicisque earumdem viribus tentamen, tabulis aeneis 18 illustratum 27 It comprises monoecious herbs or undershrubs. The genus is widespread across Europe, Africa, and Asia.Altervista Flora Italiana, genere Chrozophora includes photos + European distribution mapsFlora of China Vol. 11 Page 223 沙戟属 sha ji shu Chrozophora Necker ex A. Jussieu, Euphorb. Gen. 27. 1824. Flora of Pakistan, Chrozophora Neck. ex A.H.L. Juss., Euph. Gen. Tent. 27. 1824.
Chrozophora tinctoria produced the blue-purple colorant "turnsole" used in medieval illuminated manuscripts and as a food colorant.
Species Chrozophora brocchiana - Sahara and Sahel regions of Africa; Cape Verde Chrozophora gangetica - India Chrozophora mujunkumi - Uzbekistan Chrozophora oblongifolia - E Africa, Middle East, India, Pakistan Chrozophora plicata - Sub-Saharan Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Myanmar, Java Chrozophora rottleri - Indian Subcontinent, Afghanistan, Indochina Chrozophora sabulosa - Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Pakistan, Central Asia, Xinjiang Chrozophora sabulosa - W Africa Chrozophora tinctoria - Mediterranean, Middle East, India, Pakistan, Central Asia
Formerly included moved to other genera (Codiaeum and Mallotus) C. mollissima - Mallotus mollissimus C. peltata - Codiaeum peltatum
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