394 THE SPURGE FAMILY. [ Huphorbia. 
except the extreme north. Abundant in England, Ireland, and a great 
part of Scotland. 7. the whole summer and autumn, 
7. HE. exigua, Linn. (fig. 889). Dwarf Spurge.—A slender, glabrous 
annual, with several erect or ascending stems, from 1 or 2 to 6 or 8 inches 
high. Stem-leaves numerous, small and narrow. Umbels of 3 or 4, rarely 
5 rays, sometimes contracted into terminal heads, more frequently elongated 
and forked. Floral leaves usually lanceolate. Glands of the involucre 
crescent-shaped, with fine points. Capsules small, smooth or slightly warted 
at the angles. Seeds slightly wrinkled. 
In cultivated and waste places, in central and southern Europe and 
western Asia, extending northwards to southern Sweden. Abundant in 
most parts of England, rare in Scotland, and local in Ireland. Fl. the 
whole season. 
8. &. Lathyris, Linn. (fig. 890). Caper Spurge.—A tall, stout 
annual or biennial, often 3 feet high or even more, very smooth and glaucous. 
Stem-leaves narrow-oblong, the upper ones broader, especially at the base, 
often 3 or 4 inches long, and all opposite, not alternate asin other Huphor- 
bias. 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 Spurge.—-An inland 
southern variety is annual or biennial, the British maritime form lasts pro- 
bably several 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 SN. 
Umbel of 5 repeatedly forked rays, the floral leaves all very broadly cor- 
date. Glands of the involucre crescent-shaped, with fine points, Capsule 
. smooth or with small raised dots on the angles. Seeds pitted. HH. port- 
landica, 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 Gallo- 
way 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. &. Paralias, Linn. (fig. 892). Sea Spurge.—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 
