DICOTYLEDONS 



149 



Caper Spurge {Euphorbia Lathyris, Fig. 39). — 

 This is really a continental species, but has long 

 been cultivated; and is now naturalized as a weed in 

 the vicinity of gardens. It has opposite smooth 

 leaves of a bluish-green hue. The structure of the 

 flowers is the same as in other species, only the 



Fig. 38. Euphorbia Helioscopia ; 

 Sun Spurge. 



Fig. 39. Euphorbia Lathyris ; Caper 

 Spurge. 



glands on the edge of the involucral cup are 

 crescent-shaped. Its unripe fruit resembles that of 

 the common garden Nasturtium ( Ti'opcBohim majits\ 

 and like that, it has been used for pickling pur- 

 poses. As of all other species of Euphorbia, the 

 milky juice is very acrid. The seeds, as of so 

 many euphorbiaceous plants, yield an oil which is 



