392 THE SPURGE FAMILY. [Euphorbia 
Stem-leaves oblong, usiRly pointed. Capsules more or 
less warted ° . ° r) ° ° . 3. E. platyphyllos, 
Perennials. Leaves entire. 
Umbel compact. Oapsule glabrous, much warted. . 4. ZH. hiberna, 
Umbel loose. Capsule smooth, or rough with small 
glandular dots, often hairy . . 6. E, pilosa, 
Glands of the involucre crescent-shaped, the two points turned 
outwards, 
Floral leaves of each pair united at the base ee - 12, E. amygdaloides, 
Floral leaves all distinct. 
Umbel of 3 or 4 rays. 
Low, green annuals, seldom above 6 inches high. 
Stem-leaves linear. az : . 7. H. exigua. 
Stem-leaves broadly obovate, stalked , . 6. H. Peplus, 
Tall, very glaucous penpals with large capsules . & #, Lathyris. 
Umbel of 5, rarely 6, ray 
Leaves crowded, thick. and leathery. Umbel compact. 
Seeds smooth 10. B. Paralias, 
Leaves rather thin. Umbel spreading. Seeds pitted 9. E. segetalis, 
Umbel of 8ormorerays . P ‘ ‘ ‘ ; ll. #. Esula, 
H. 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 green bracts, has been often cultivated in gardens, 
and where once planted will remain many years, but does not permanently 
establish itself. One or two tropical shrubby species with scarlet invo- 
lucres are cultivated in our hothouses, and several South African succulent 
ones may be met with in cactus-houses. 
1, &. Peplis, Linn. (fig. 883). Purple Spurge.—A ‘glabrous annual, 
of a glaucous or purple hue; the very short main stem loses all its leaves 
before flowering, and divides close to the base into an umbel of 3 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 glabrous 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 becoming scarce ; 
county Waterford, Ireland. £7. summer and autunm, 
2, &. Helioscopia, Linn. (fig. 884). Sun Spurge.—An erect or as- 
cending 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 invo- 
lucre entire and rounded. Capsules glabrous and smooth. Seeds pitted. 
In cultivated and waste places, in Kurope and western Asia, extending 
further north than most species, yet not an Arctic plant. Common in 
Britain. £7. the whole season. 
3. E.platyphyllos, Linn. (fig. 885). Broad Spurge.—An erect 
annual or biennial, sometimes slender and only 6 inches high, but usually 
