208 



FIELD AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



the head is a single female flower, consisting of a three-celled 

 ovary, with a three-cleft style, mounted on a stalk of such a length 

 that the flower droops over the edge of the cup. Around this 

 female flower are from ten to fifteen little male flowers, each con- 

 sisting of a single stamen with a minute scale at its base. The 

 fruit contains three seeds, one in each carpel. 



The Sun Spurge {Euphorbia Helioscopia) is a common species, 



varying from six to 

 eighteen inches high , 

 flowering from June to 

 October. Its stem is 

 generally simple, but 

 sometimes branched at 

 the base ; and the leaves 

 are obovate or broadly 

 oblong, without stipules, 

 serrate, and narrowed 

 down at the base to a 

 short stalk. The floral 

 leaves are very broad — 

 almost round — and edged 

 with very small teeth. 

 The umbel consists of five 

 rays, each of which is 

 forked, with very short 

 branches ; and the glands 

 within the cup are nearly 

 round. The fruits are quite 

 smooth, and the seeds have 

 a netted surface. 

 The other species — the Petty Spurge {E. Pephis) — is a smaller 

 plant, seldom exceeding a foot in length, with an erect or decumbent 

 stem branching at the bottom. The stem-leaves are oval or ob- 

 ovate, entire, shortly-stalked and placed alternately ; and the 

 floral leaves are cordate or broadly ovate. The flower-heads are 

 small, surrounded by crescent-shaped glands with long points ; and 

 the carpels of the fruit have rough keels or wings. 



Passing to the Stinging Nettles (order Urticacece), we have to 

 deal with three herbs that are remarkable for the stinging hairs 

 which clothe both leaves and stem. The leaves of all are opposite, 

 and the flowers imperfect. The male flowers have four stamens. 



The Great Nettle. 



