730 



THE SPURGE FAMILY. 



3. Broad Spurge. Euphorbia platyphyllos, Linn. 



(Fig. 879.) 



(E. stricta, Eng. Bot. t. 333, a starved specimen.) 



An erect annual or biennial, some- 

 times slender and only 6 inches high, 

 but usually 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 yel- 

 lowish tint. Umbel of about 5 (rarely 

 4 or 3) 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 se- 

 condary, simple or forked rays. Glands 

 of the involucres entire and 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 west- 

 ern Asia, but not extending into Scandinavia. In Britain, only. in 

 southern England, and here and there as a weed of cultivation further 

 north. Fl. summer and autumn. 





Fig. 879- 



4. Irish. Spurge. 



Euphorbia hibernica, Linn. (Fig. 880.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 1337.) 



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 Py- 

 renees, in western aud central France, 

 and in Ireland. In England, only 



