Euphorbia. ] LXVIIIT. HUPHORBIACEA. 391 
Several male flowers (looking like single stamens) and one 
stalked ovary collected in a small involucre, which has the 
appearance of a cup-shaped perianth ‘ 3 : ; . 1. EUPHORBIA. 
Male and female flowers distinct. 
Herbs, with thin leaves . : ; ; ; : . 2. MERCURIALIS, 
Shrubs, with shining, evergreen leaves . 4 ‘ ; ‘ . 3&8. BUXUS. 
The Pornsettia and the red-flowered Jatrophas of our hothouses, 
remarkable for their brilliant red bracts, and the coloured leaved 
Crotons, belong to this family, but generally speaking the tropical 
Euphorbiacee are not ornamental enough for cultivation. 
I. EUPHORBIA. SPURGE. 
The European species are herbs, abounding in milky juice ; the lower 
part of the stems simple, with alternate leaves (except in /. Lathyris). 
Flowering branches or peduncles axillary, the upper ones in a terminal 
umbel of 2 to 5 or more rays, each ray or axillary peduncle usually 
several times forked, with a pair of opposite floral leaves at each fork, 
and a small green, apparent flower, really a head of flowers, between 
the branches. These flower-heads consist of a small, cup-shaped znvolucre 
(looking like a perianth), with 4 or 5 very small teeth, alternating with 
as many horizontal yellowish or brown glands. Within are 10 to 15 
stamens, each with a jointed filament, and a minute scale at its base, 
showing that they are each a distinct male flower. In the centre is a 
single female flower, consisting of a 3-celled ovary, supported on a stalk 
projecting from the involucre and curved downwards, Style 3-cleft. 
Fruit of 3 carpels, each with a single seed. 
A very large genus, extending over most parts of the globe, including 
many tropical species, and leafless, succulent ones in southern Africa. 
Prostrate plant, with all the leaves at the time of flowering 
floral and opposite, with minute stipules. . I- #. Peplis. 
Stem erect or decumbent at the base, the lower leaves alter nate, 
and no stipules. 
Glands of the involucre rounded on the outer edge. 
Annuals or biennials. Leaves finely toothed. 
Leaves obovate, very obtuse. Capsules smooth 
Stem-leaves oblong; usually ae ie more or 
less warted . : . 2 ; : 
Perennials. Leaves entire. 
. EL. Helioscopia. 
. HL. platyphyllos. 
Ove Sipe TS =n 
Umbel compact. Capsule glabrous, much warted . . EB. hiberna. 
Umbel loose. Capsule smooth, or rough with small 
glandular dots, often hairy . . E, pilosa. 
Glands of the involucre crescent- shaped, the two points turned 
outwards. 
Floral leaves of each pair united at the base : : . 12. EH. amygdaloides. 
Floral leaves all distinct. 
Umbel of 3 or 4 rays. 
Low, green annuals, seldom above 6 inches high. 
Stem-leaves linear. : : . 7. B. exigua. 
Stem-leaves broadly obovate, stalked . : ‘ . 6. EH. Peplus. 
Tall, very glaucous biennial, with large capsules : 8. H. Lathyris. 
Umbel of 5, rarely 6, rays. 
Leaves crowded, thick and leathery. Umbel compact. 
Seeds smooth . ‘ 3 : : ‘ : . 10. BE. Paralias. 
Leaves rather thin. Umbel spreading. Seeds pitted . 9. H. segetalis. 
Umbel of 8ormorerays . : ‘ : A ¢ . ll. BE. Esula. 
