186 STUDY OF COMMON PLANTS. 



XXVII. THE SPURGE FAMILY. 

 EUPHORBIACEJE. 



MATERIAL REQUIRED. 



Spurge, Euphorbia Cyparissias, L., and other species of Euphorbia. 

 Representatives of other genera of the same family as far as these 

 are procurable. 



SPURGE. Euphorbia Cyparissias, L. 

 Distribution. 



In what situation is this plant usually found growing ? 

 Have you observed anything as to its persistence from 

 year to year, where it has once become established ? Do 

 its habits indicate that it is an indigenous species ? 



General Characters. 



Study the general features of the plant and write a brief 

 description. In addition to the ordinary botanical char- 

 acters note particularly 



1. The way in which new shoots arise. 



2. The abundant latex in every part. 1 



3. The great variety of foliar organs scale leaves, 

 foliage leaves, and floral leaves and their form, position, 

 and color. 



Inflorescence and Flowers. 



The morphology of the flower in this family has been 

 the subject of much discussion and an extended literature. 



1 Care should be exercised in handling spurges as the juice is poisonous. 



