394 THE SPURGE FAMILY. Euphorbia.] 



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. E. segetalis, Linn. (fig. 891). Portland IS. — 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. E. 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. 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. 



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 more rays. Stems 1 to 1 \ 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 

 Europe, 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 E. Cypa- 

 rissias, a more southern Continental species. 



