394 THE SPURGE FAMILY. 
base, often 3 or 4 inches long, and all opposite, not alternate as in other 
Euphorbias. 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, probably wild in 
Somerset and Sussex; long since cultivated in cottage gardens, and 
often establishes itself as a weed in their vicinity. Fl. summer. 
9. KE. segetalis, Linn. (fig. 891). Portland S.—An inland southern 
variety is annual or biennial, the British maritime form lasts pro- 
bably seven 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 leathery 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. £. portlandica, Linn. 
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 Galloway in Scotland, and also in Ireland. J. 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. 
10. E. Paralias, Linn. (fig. 894). Sea S.—A perennial, with a short, 
hard, almost woody stock; the stems ascending or erect, 6 inches to 
near a foot high, crowded with short, concave, rather thick and 
leathery leaves, of a very pale green. Umbel compact, of 5 more 
or less forked rays, and often a few axillary flowering branches 
below it. Lower leaves narrow, but passing gradually into the 
broad, ovate-cordate floral leaves. Glands of the involucre crescent- 
shaped, with short points. Capsules smooth. Seeds smooth or 
slightly warted. 
In maritime sands, round the Mediterranean and up the western 
coasts of Europe to Holland. In Britain along the southern coasts, up 
to Dublin in Ireland, and to Cumberland and Suffolk in England. fl. 
autumn. 
11. E. Esula, Linn. (fig. 895). Leafy S.—A glabrous perennial, 
readily distinguished from all the preceding species by the terminal | 
_umbel of 8 to 12 or morerays. Stems 1 to 14 feet high, the leaves vary- 
ing from oblong-lanceolate to linear, of a glaucous green. Floral leaves 
broadly cordate or orbicular, often yellow. Glands of the involucre 
crescent-shaped, and rather pointed. Capsules minutely granulated, 
but not warted. Seeds not pitted. 
On river-banks and hilly wastes, in central and especially southern 
Kurope, and western Asia, extending, however, northwards into southern 
Scandinavia. Probably not indigenous in Britain, but is said to have 
established itself in Forfar, near Edinburgh and Alnwick. Fl. summer. 
Starved, narrow-leaved states of this plant have been taken for Z. 7 1 
rissias, @ more southern Continental species. 
