728 THE SPURGE FAMILY. 



A very large genus, extending almost over every part of the globe, 

 including many shrubby species in the tropics, or large, leafless, 

 succulent ones in southern Africa. 



Prostrate plant, with all the leaves at the time of flowering 



floral and opposite, with minute stipules 1. Purple S. 



Stem erect or decumbent at the base, the lower leaves alter- 

 nate, and no stipules. 

 Glands of the involucre rounded on the outer edge. 

 Annuals or biennials. Leaves finely toothed. 



Leaves obovate, very obtuse. Capsules smooth . . 2. Sun S. 

 Stem-leaves oblong, usually pointed. Capsules more 



or less warted 3. Broad S. 



Perennials. Leaves entire. 



Umbel compact. Capsules glabrous, much warted . 4. Irish S. 

 Umbel loose. Capsules smooth, or rough with small 



glandular dots, often hairy 5. Hairy S. 



Glands of the involucre crescent-shaped, the tivo points 

 turned outwards. 

 Floral leaves of each pair united at the base . . . .12. Wood S. 

 Floral leaves all distinct. 

 Umbel of 3 or 4 rays. 



Low, green annuals, seldom above 6 inches high. 



Stem-leaves linear 7. Dwarf S. 



Stem- leaves broadly obovate, stalked .... 6. Petty S. 

 Tall, very glaucous biennial, with large capsules . 8. Caper S. 

 Umbel of 5, rarely 6, rays. 



Leaves crowded, thick and leathery. Umbel 



compact. Seeds smooth 10. Sea S. 



Leaves rather thin. Umbel spreading. Seeds 



pitted 9. Portland S. 



Umbel of 8 or more rays 11. Leafy S. 



The E. Characias (Eng. Bot. t. 442), 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 re- 

 main many years, but does not permanently establish itself. One or 

 two tropical shrubby species with scarlet involucres are cultivated in 

 our hothouses, and several south African succulent ones may be met 

 with in cactus-houses. 



1. Purple Spurge. Euphorbia Peplis, Linn. (Fig. 877.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 2002.) 



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 



