EUPHOEBIACETE. 



733 



8. Caper Spurge. Euphorbia Lathyris, Linn. (Fig. 884.) 

 (It. aquaticus, Eng. Bot. t. 2255.) 



A tall, stout annual or biennial, often 

 3 feet high or even more, very smooth 

 and glaucous. Stem-leaves narrow-ob- 

 long, the upper ones broader, especially 

 at the base, often 3 or 4 inches long, 

 and all opposite, not alternate as in other 

 Spurges. 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, long since cultivated in 

 cottage gardens, and often establishes 

 itself as a weed in their vicinity. Fl. 

 summer. 



Fig. 884. 



9. Portland Spurge. Euphorbia segetalis, Linn. (Fig. 885.) 

 (U. Portlandica, Eng. Bot. t. 441.) 



An inland southern variety is annual 

 or biennial, theBritish maritime form lasts 

 probably several years, becoming 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 S. Umbel of 5 

 repeatedly forked rays, the floral leaves 

 all very broadly cordate. Glands of the 

 involucre crescent-shaped, with fine 

 points. Capsule smooth or with small 

 raised dots on the angles. Seeds pitted. 



In sandy or stony, waste or cultivated 

 places, especially near the sea. Very 

 common in the Mediterranean region, 

 the strictly maritime perennial variety 



Fie. 885. 



