328 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



involucre of 4 or 5 united bracts. The delicate green E. helio- 

 sco/>ia, L., is a common weed. The Euphorbia often found in 

 gardens (Poinsettid) is showy, with large bright red bracts 

 underneath the inflorescences. The genus has a milky juice, 

 by which, if not flowering, it may be distinguished from Cactus. 

 Cluytia is a dioecious shrub or half shrub ; the flowers 





FIG. 307. Euphorbia tree in Natal. (Wni. Laws Caney, Maritzburg.) 



have a double perianth of a greenish colour. The abortive 

 pistil in the staminate flowers suggest that these flowers have 

 at one time been perfect. 



Ricinus communis, L., the Castor-oil plant, is partly 

 naturalized in the Colony. Flowers monoecious, calyx 5 -parted ; 

 filaments much branched. Ovary trilocular, with one seed to 

 each loculus. 



Order TILIACE^;. 



Flowers perfect. Sepals valvate. Stamens usually many, 

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



