Euphorbia. | LXVIII, EUPHORBIACES. 393 
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 8) 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 involucres 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 cul- 
tivation further north. #7. summer and autumn. | Two forms were 
recognized by Linnzus and others. 
a. H. platyphyllos, L., with bracts 3 in. long, capsule with rounded 
warts and olive-brown seeds. . 
b. ZL. stricta, L., with bracts 4—} in. long, capsule smaller with conical 
warts and small red-brown seeds. | 
4, E. hiberna, Linn. (fig. 886). Jrish Spurge.—A perennial, with 
several ascending or nearly erect stems, 1 to 1} feet high, either glabrous 
or the stems and under side of the leaves more or less softly hairy. Leaves 
broadly oblong, entire, often 2 inches long or more. Umbel compact, of 5 
rays, once or twice shortly forked, and but little longer than the leaves 
immediately under it. Floral leaves large and ovate, often yellowish. 
Glands of the involucre entire and rounded. Capsule rather large, strongly 
warted, but not hairy. Seeds not pitted. 
- In woods and mountain pastures, in western Europe, and chiefly in the 
Pyrenees, in western and central France, and in south and west Ireland, and 
in a few localities in Devonshire. FU. early summer. 
5. E. pilosa, Linn. (fig. 887). Hairy Spurge.—A perennial, somewhat 
resembling #. hiberna, but more erect, either softly hairy, especially on the 
under side of the leaves, or nearly glabrous in a Continental variety. 
Stem-leaves oblong, like those of H. hiberna, but those under the umbel 
shorter. Umbel usually of 5 rays, with a few axillary branches below it ; 
the rays much longer and more branched than in #. hiberna. Capsules 
rather smaller, though much larger than in EH. platyphyllos, not really 
warted, but usually covered with small, raised, glandular dots, glabrous or 
hairy. Seeds not pitted. #. palustris, Forst. 
In moist woods and thickets, on shady banks, in central and southern 
and especially eastern HKurope, and western Asia, but not approaching 
nearer to Britain than the Loire. It has, however, long been known 
apparently wild near Bath, and has been recently found by Mr. Hemsley 
near Westmeston in Sussex. LI. early summer. 
6. E. Peplus, Linn. (fig. 888). Petty Spurge.—An erect or decum- 
bent, glabrous annual, 6 inches to a foot high, branching from the base. 
Stem-leaves obovate, entire, shortly stalked. Umbel of 2 or 3 repeatedly 
forked rays, often occupying the greater part of the plant. Floral leaves 
broadly ovate or cordate. Flower-heads small. Glands of the involucre 
crescent-shaped, with long points. Capsule glabrous and smooth, with a 
longitudinal rib or narrow wing to each carpel. Seeds pitted. 
_ In cultivated and waste places, throughout Europe and Russian Asia, 
