458 THE SPUEGE FAMILY. 



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

 further north than most species, yet not an Arctic plant. Common in Bri- 

 tain. Fl. the whole season. 



3. Broad Spurge. Euphorbia platjrphyllos, Linn. 

 {E. stricta, Eng. Bot. t. 333, a starved specimen.) 



An erect annual or biennial, sometimes slender and only 6 inches high, 

 but usually 1 to 2 feet, glabrous or very shghtly downy. Stem-leaves ob- 

 long 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 involucres 

 entire and 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 in 

 southern England, and here and there as a weed of ciUtivation further 

 north. Fl. summer and autumn. 



4. Irish Spurge. Euphorbia hibernica, Lum. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 1337.) 



A perennial, with several ascending or nearly erect stems, 1 to 1^ feet high, 

 either glabrous or the stems and under side of the leaves more or less softly 

 hairy. Leaves broadly oblong, entire, often 2 inches long or more. Umbel 

 compact, of 5 rays, once or twice shortly forked, and but httle longer than 

 the leaves immediately under it. Floral leaves large and ovate, often yel- 

 lowish. Glands of the involucre entire and rounded. Capsule rather large, 

 strongly warted, but not hairy. Seeds not pitted. 



In woods and mountain pastures, in western Europe, and chiefly in the 

 Pyrenees, in western and central France, and in Ireland. In England, only 

 in a few locahties in Devonshire, and not known in Scotland. Fl. early 

 summer. 



5. Hairy Spurge. Euphorbia pilosa, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. SuppL t. 2787, and S. coralloides, Suppl. t. 2837. JE. pahis- 



trh, Brit. Fl.) 



A perennial, somewhat resembhng the Irish S., but more erect, either 

 softly hairy, especially on the under side of the leaves, or nearly glabrous in 

 a Continental variety. Stem-leaves oblong, Uke those of the Irish S., but 

 those under the umbel shorter. Umbels usually of 5 rays, with a few axil- 

 lary branches below it ; the rays much longer, and more branched than in 

 the Irish S. Capsules rather smaller, though much larger than in the 

 broad S., not really warted, but usually covered with small, raised, glan- 

 dular dots, glabrous or hairy. Seeds not pitted. 



In moist woods and thickets, on shady banks, in central and southern 

 and especially eastern Europe, and western Asia, but not approaching 

 nearer to Britain than the Loire. It has, however, long been known appa- 

 rently wild in the neighbourhood of Bath, and has been introduced into 

 Sussex. Fl. early summer. 



6. Petty Spurge. Euphorbia Feplus, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 959.) 

 An erect or decumbent, glabrous annual, 6 inches to a foot high, branchy 



