EUPHORBIACEAE (SPURGE FAMILY) 263 
possible to remove. Professor Selby, of the Ohio State Experiment 
Station, wisely remarks that “the time to remove such Seeds 1 is 
before the clover is cut.” ‘fh 
Stem six inches to two feet high, 
erect, somewhat hairy, often purplish 
or brown. Leaves alternate, two to 
four inches in length, long ovate, thin, 
dark green, often turning to a cop- 
pery brown, coarsely toothed except 
near the base. In their axils are the 
inconspicuous greenish flowers, male 
and female separate, but growing 
from the same point, the staminate 
ones being lifted on a tiny spike, the 
fertile ones just below, and both sup- 
ported by a large, leafy, cut-lobed 
bract, longer than either,. usually 
about a half inch high. Capsules 
three-celled, each cavity containing 
one dull reddish brown or gray seed, 
egg-shaped, and easily crushed be- 
tween the fingers, which is the reason = pyg. 185. Three-seeded 
why they are called Wax-balls. (Fig. ria (Acalypha virginica). 
185.) ae 
Means of control 
Pulling or cutting the weeds before any seeds have matured. 
Land badly fouled by the seeds should be put to a profitable and 
thoroughly tilled hoed crop for a season. 
THYME-LEAVED SPURGE 
Euphérbia serpyllifolia, Pers. 
Native. Annual. Propagates by seeds. 
Time of bloom: May to September. 
Seed-time: June to October. : 
Range: Michigan to California, southward to Mexico, Texas, and 
Florida. 
Habitat: Sandy, alluvial soils; fields, gardens, waste places. 
