592 THE SPURGE FAMILY. 
E. Characias, a tall, south European species, with a handsome, oblong, 
crowded, leafy panicle, variegated by the contrast of the purple glands 
of the involucre and the ereen bracts, has been often cultivated in 
gardens, and where once planted will remain many years, but does not 
permanently establish itself, A tropical shrubby species with scarlet 
involucres, called Poinsettia, is cultivated in our hothouses, and several 
South African succulent ones may be met with in cactus-houses, 
1. HE. Peplis, Linn. (fig. 885). Purple S—A glabrous annual, of a 
olaucous or purple hue; the very short main stem loses all its leaves 
before flowering, and divides close to the base into an umbel of 8 or 4 - 
rays, so that the whole plant appears to consist of the repeatedly forked 
flowering branches, closely prostrate on the sand, and forming patches 
of 6 inches to a foot or more in diameter. Floral leaves opposite, 
numerous, very oblique, broadly oblong, very obtuse and rather thick, ~ 
with minute stipules at their base. Flower-heads very small. Glands 
of the involucre expanding into small, whitish or purple scales. Capsule 
elabrous and smooth. Seeds not pitted. | 
In maritime sands, all round the Mediterranean, and up the western 
coasts of Europe to the English Channel. In Britain, only in South 
Wales, and on the southern coasts of England, where it is now becom- 
ing scarce; county Waterford, Ireland. Fl. summer and autumn. 
2. E. Helioscopia, Linn. (fig. 886). Sun S.—An erect or ascending 
annual, 6 or 8 inches to a foot high, simple or with a few branches 
ascending from the base. Stem-leaves obovate or broadly oblong, and 
narrowed into a short stalk; floral leaves broadly obovate or orbicular, 
all very obtuse and minutely toothed. Umbel of 5 rays, each ray once 
or twice forked at the end, but the branches so short that the flowers 
and floral leaves appear crowded into broad, leafy heads. Glands of 
the involucre entire and rounded. Capsules glabrous and smooth. 
Seeds pitted. 
In cultivated and waste places, in Europe and Asia, extending farther 
north than most species, yet not an Arctic plant. Common in Britain. 
Fl. the whole season. 
8. E. platyphyllos, Linn. (fig. 887). Broad S.—An erect annual 
or biennial, sometimes slender and only 6 inches high, but usually 1 to 
2 feet, glabrous or very slightly downy. Stem-leaves oblong 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 invo- 
lucres entire or 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 from 
Yorkshire and Gloucester southwards, and here and there as a weed of 
cultivation farther north. Fl. summer and autumn. ['Two species were 
recognised by Linnzeus and others. 
a. LE. platyphylios, L., with bracts 4 in. long, capsule with rounded 
warts and olive-brown seeds. 
b. £. stricta, L., with bracts 4-3 in. long, pale smaller with conical 
warts and small red- brown seeds. " 
CS eh a Oe 
