THE DICOTYLEDONES 



1835 



Fig. 1736. — Eiiphoybia helioscopia. Sun 

 Spurge. Group of cyathia seen I'rom 

 / above. 



couple of feet. In other parts of the world, however, Euphorbias may 

 grow into small trees or bushes, while in desert regions in Africa and 

 elsewhere they form large cactus-like plants, many feet in height, with 

 thick fleshy stems and leaves reduced to spines. In Australia many heath- 

 like Euphorbias are quite common. Species of the genus Tragia are tropical 

 climbers while the genus Phyllanthus contains plants ranging from large 

 trees to annual herbs. 



The form and position of the leaves are very variable. In many they are 

 reduced to spines, in some 

 they are replaced by cladodes. 

 Where the leaves are normal 

 they may be arranged either 

 oppositely or alternately and 

 vary very greatly in shape. 



Nearly all the members of 

 the family possess large latici- 

 ferous vessels. 



The inflorescence may be 

 racemose or cymose and is 

 often complex in form. The 

 peculiar but very characteristic 

 inflorescence of Euphorbia is 

 termed a cyathium (Fig. 

 1737) which is modified from a cyme and simulates a simple flower, the 

 bracts being arranged like a perianth. 



Fig. 



1737. — Cyathium of Eii/y/iorhia in 

 longitudinal section. 



