the genera in tribe euphorbieae, subtribe euphorbiinae ("euphorbia" and close relatives) show a highly specialized form of pseudanthium ("false flower" made up of several true flowers) called a cyathium. this is usually a small, cup-like involucre consisting of fused-together bracts and peripheral nectary glands, surrounding a ring of male flowers, each a single stamen. in the middle of the cyathium stands a female flower, a single pistil with branched stigmas. this whole arrangement resembles a single flower.