392 THE SPURGE FAMILY. [ 



E. Characids, a tall, south European species, with a handsome, oblong, 

 crowded, leafy panicle, variegated by the contrast of the purple glands 

 of the involucre and the green bracts, has been often cultivated in 

 gardens, and where once planted will remain many years, but does not 

 permanently establish itself. A tropical shrubby species with scarlet 

 involucres, called Poinsettia, is cultivated in our hothouses, and several 

 South African succulent ones may be met with in cactus-houses. 



1. E. Peplis, Linn. (fig. 885). Purple A glabrous annual, of a 

 glaucous or purple hue ; the very short main stem loses all its leaves 

 before flowering, and divides close to the base into an umbel of 3 or 4 



rays, so that the whole plant appears to consist of the repeatedly forked 

 flowering branches, closely prostrate on the sand, and forming patches 

 of 6 inches to a foot or more in diameter. Floral leaves opposite, 

 numerous, very oblique, broadly oblong, very obtuse and rather thick, 

 with minute stipules at their base. Flower-heads very small. Glands 

 of the involucre expanding into small, whitish or purple scales. Capsule 

 glabrous and smooth. Seeds not pitted. 



In maritime sands, all round the Mediterranean, and up the western 

 coasts of Europe to the English Channel. In Britain, only in South 

 Wales, and on the southern coasts of England, where it is now becom. 

 ^^ ing scarce ; county Waterford, Ireland. Fl. summer and autumn. 



2. E. Helioscopia, Linn. (fig. 886). Sun S. An erect or ascending 

 annual, 6 or 8 inches to a foot high, simple or with a few brandies 

 ascending from the base. Stem-leaves obovate or broadly oblong, and 

 narrowed into a short stalk ; floral leaves broadly obovate or orbicular, 

 all very obtuse and minutely toothed. Umbel of 5 rays, each ray oce 

 or twice forked at the end, but the branches so short that the flowers 

 and floral leaves appear crowded into broad, leafy heads. Glands of 

 the involucre entire and rounded. Capsules glabrous and smooth. 

 Seeds pitted. 



In cultivated and waste places, in Europe and Asia, extending farther 

 north than most species, yet not an Arctic plant. Common in Britain, 

 "\ Fl. the whole season. 



3. E. platyphyllos, Linn. (fig. 887). Broad An erect annual 

 or biennial, sometimes slender and only 6 inches high, but usually 1 to 

 2 feet, glabrous or very slightly downy. Stem-leaves oblong or almost 

 lanceolate, mostly pointed, and very finely toothed ; floral leaves broadly 

 cordate or orbicular, often with a yellowish tint. Umbel of about 5 

 (rarely 4 or 3) rays, besides several flowering branches from the axils 

 of the upper stem-leaves ; these rays are slender, usually divided into 

 3, 4, or even 5 secondary, simple or forked rays. Glands of the invo- 

 lucres entire or rounded. Capsule smaller than in most species, more 

 or less warted, glabrous or hairy. Seeds not pitted. 



In cultivated and waste places, in central and southern Europe and 

 western Asia, but not extending into Scandinavia. In Britain only from 

 Yorkshire and Gloucester southwards, and here and there as a weed of 

 cultivation farther north. Fl. summer and autumn. [Two species were 

 recognised by Linnaeus and others. 



a. E. platyphyllos, L., with bracts in. long, capsule with rounded 

 warts and olive-brown seeds. 



b. E. gtricta, L., with bracts - in. long, capsule smaller with conical 

 warte and small red-brown seeds.] 



