238 Plants and their Ways in South Af7'ica 



cup-shaped involucre of 4 or 5 united bracts. The delicate 

 green E. helioscopia is a common weed. The Eupho7-hia 

 often found in gardens (Poinsettia) is showy, with the large 

 bright red bracts underneath the inflorescences. The genus 

 has a milky juice. 



Ricinus communis^ the Castor-oil plant, is partly naturalized 

 in the Colony. 



Fig. 239. — Euphorbia tree in Natal. (Wm. Laws Caney. Maritzburg.) 



Order Tiliace^. 



Flowers perfect. Sepals valvate. Stamens usually many, 

 free or united in groups. Ovary superior. Fruit of 1-4 hard- 

 shelled drupes or a capsule with hooked bristles. Trees or 

 herbs, mostly with star-like hairs and stipulate leaves. Flowers 

 in cymose umbels. 



Flowers 4-parted — 



Sparmannia is a handsome tree growing from George to 



