EUPHORBIACBJE. 



735 



Europe, and western Asia, extending, 

 however, northwards into southern Scan- 

 dinavia. Probably not indigenous in 

 Britain, but is said to have established 

 itself on the banks of the Tweed, and 

 in a few localities in southern Scotland. 

 Fl. summer. Starved, narrow-leaved 

 states of this plant have been taken for 

 F. Cyparissias, a more southern Con- 

 tinental species. 



mr-nCfk 





Fig. 887. 



12. Wood Spurge. Euphorbia amygdaloides, Linn. 

 (Fig. 888.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 256.) 



Stock perennial and almost woody, 

 with several erect, often reddish stems, 

 1 to 2 feet high, glabrous or slightly 

 hairy. Stem-leaves rather crowded to- 

 wards the middle of the stem, lan- 

 ceolate or narrow-oblong ; the upper 

 ones more distant, and shorter. Umbel 

 of 5 long rays, not much divided, with 

 a few axillary peduncles below it. Floral 

 leaves of each pair always connected 

 into one large orbicular one, of a pale 

 yellowish-green. Glands of the invo- 

 lucre crescent-shaped, with rather long 

 points. Capsules and seeds smooth. 



In woods and thickets, in temperate 

 and southern Europe and western Asia, 

 but not extending into Scandinavia. In 

 Britain, common over the greater part 

 of England, rare in northern England, 

 in Ireland only in one station near Bandon, and unknown in Scotland. 

 Fl. spring. 



Fig. 888. 



