ABSTRACT
The Candelilla plant (Euphorbia antisyphilitica) has been used as a traditional source of hydrocarbons to elaborate candles but recently the potential applications of several compounds has expanded the perspectives for this crop. Phylogenetic analyzes of the Euphorbia genus placed to E. antisyphilitica in the Chamaesyce subgenus, where most of American Euphorbia species are located, including to plants adapted to dry land conditions. In this work a brief anatomical description of aerial stem, rhizome and root is showed and also a comparison of the variable wax compositions is presented to illustrate that exploitation of this resource should consider variations at environmental, genetic and agronomical levels. An integrative knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, genetic improvement, pest and disease studies of this crop would lead to increase yielding for future massive production of Candelilla.
