candelilla

Noun

candelilla (plural candelillas)

1. A type of flowering succulent plant, native to Texas and northern Mexico, of species Euphorbia antisyphilitica.
   • The ranch-owners were much surprised when they were informed that the candelilla plant, known to science as Euphorbia cerifera, instead of being useless, was of considerable value, because experiments had proved that it contained crude wax, for which there is much demand.1918, Ralph H. Butz, “Wealth From Weeds - A New Industry In The Southwest”, in Munsey's Magazine, volume LXII, page 241
   • Have you ever chewed candelilla gum? Or traveled on a guayule tire? No, candelilla and guayule are not brand names for new products. They are plants that grow in the Chihuahuan Desert.2013 September 15, Delena Tull, “Rubber, Wax, Oil, and Soap”, in Edible and Useful Plants of the Southwest: Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, University of Texas Press, →ISBN, page 74

   Synonyms:

   wax plant