EUPHOEBTACEJE. 459 



ing from the base. Stem-leaves obovate, entire, shortly stalked. Umbel of 

 2 or 3 repeatedly forked rays, often occupying the greater part of the plant. 

 Floral leaves broadly ovate or cordate. Flower-heads small. Glands of the 

 involucre crescent-shaped, with long points. Capsule glabrous and smooth, 

 with a longitudmal rib or narrow wing to each carpel. Seeds pitted. 



In cultivated and waste places, throughout Europe and Russian Asia, ex- 

 cept the extreme north. Abundant in England, Ireland, and a great part 

 of Scotland. Fl. the whole summer and autumn. 



7. Dwarf Spurge. Euphorbia exigua, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 1336.) 



A slender, glabrous annual, with several erect or ascending stems, from 

 1 or 2 to 6 or 8 inches high. Stem-leaves numerous, small and narrow. 

 TJmbels of 3 or 4, rarely 5 rays, sometimes contracted into terminal heads, 

 more frequently elongated and forked. Floral leaves usually lanceolate. 

 Glands of the involucre crescent-shaped, with fine points. Capsules small, 

 smooth or slightly warted at the angles. Seeds shghtly wrinkled. 



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

 western Asia, extending northwards to southern Sweden. Abundant in 

 most parts of England and Ireland, but only in southern Scotland. FL 

 the whole season. 



8. Caper Spurg^e. Euphorbia Xjatbyris, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 2255.) 



A tall, stout annual or biennial, often 3 feet high or even more, very 

 smooth and glaucous. Stem-leaves narrow-oblong, the upper ones broader, 

 especially at the base, often 3 or 4 inches long, and all opposite, not alter- 

 nate as in other Spurges. Umbels of 3 or 4 long rays, once or twice 

 forked, with large ovate-lanceolate floral leaves. Glands of the involucre 

 crescent-shaped, the points short and blunt. Capsules large and smooth. 

 Seeds wrinkled. 



A native of southern Europe and west central Asia, long since cultivated 

 in cottage gardens, and often establishes itself as a weed in their vicinity. 

 Fl. summer. 



9. Portland Spurge. Euphorbia segetalis, Linn. 

 (E. Portlandica, Eng. Bot. t. 441.) 



An inland southern variety is annual or biennial, the British maritime 

 form lasts probably several years, becomes hard at the base, with several 

 decumbent or ascending stems, a few inches to near a foot high. Stem- 

 leaves narrow, of a pale green or glaucous, but not thick and leatliery as 

 in the sea S. Umbel of 5 repeatedly forked rays, the floral leaves all very 

 broadly cordate. Glands of the involucre crescent-shaped, with fine points. 

 Capsule smooth or with small raised dots on the angles. Seeds pitted. 



In sandy or stony, waste or cultivated places, especially near the sea. 

 Very common in the Mediterranean region, the strictly maritime perennial 

 variety extending also up the western coasts of Europe to the Channel. 

 In Britain, along the southern and western coasts of England up to Gal- 

 loway in Scotland, and also in Ireland. FL summer and autumn. The 

 northern specimens are usually shorter and more compact, with shorter 

 and more obtuse stem-leaves than the southern ones, but a very gradual 

 passage may be traced from the one to the other. 



