734 



THE SPUEGE FAMILY. 



extending also up the western coasts of Europe to the Channel. In 

 Britain, along the southern and western coasts of England up to 

 Galloway 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. Sea Spurge. Euphorbia Paralias, Linn. (Fig. 886.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 195.) 



A perennial, with a short, hard, al- 

 most 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 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 not 

 pitted. 



In maritime sands, round the Me- 

 diterranean and up the western coasts 

 of Europe to Holland. In Britain, 

 along the southern coasts, up to Dublin 

 in Ireland, and to Cumberland and Suf- 

 folk in England. FL autumn. 



Fig. 886. 



11. Leafy Spurge. Euphorbia Esula, Linn. (Fig. 887.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 1399.) 



A glabrous perennial, readily distinguished from all the preceding 

 species by the terminal umbel of 8 to 12 or more rays. Stems 1 to 1\ 

 feet high, the leaves varying from oblong-lanceolate to linear, of a 

 glaucous green. Floral leaves broadly cordate or orbicular, often 

 yellow. Glands of the involucre crescent-shaped, and rather pointed. 

 Capsules minutely granulated, but not warted. Seeds not pitted. 



On river-banks and hilly wastes, in central and especially southern 





