THE SPURGE FAMILY 
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2. Sun Spurge. (Euph6rbia Helioscdpia. Linn.) — A species with a compact, much 
branched golden-green flower-cluster (umbel) at the top of an unbranched stem ; the cluster (umbel) 
has 5 short branches (rays) and each branch is shortly forked at the top either once or twice, 
giving the effect of a broad dense leafy flower-head surmounting a rather bare stem. The glands 
of the involucre are rounded, entire, and bright yellow ; the floral-leaves are broad, inversely 
egg-shaped (obovate) or nearly round (orbicular), blunt, and minutely toothed (serrate) ; the 
capsule is roundish, 3-sided, and smooth. [As described in the genus Spurge (Euphorbia).] The 
stem is solitary or there are several stems rising from the crown of the root, 6-18 inches high, 
erect, stout, and fleshy ; and the leaves are alternate, inversely egg-shaped (obovate), rounded 
at the tip, and the upper half finely toothed (serrate). 
Very common. In cultivated and waste ground ; throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland, 
June— October. Annual. 
3. Broad-leaved Spurge. (Euphdrbia platyphyl'los. Linn.)— A somewhat similar 
species to the last, differing in the flower-clusters often having only 3 branches instead of 5, all 
more slender ; in the capsules being covered with rounded warts ; in the floral-leaves being 
pointed at the tips and heart-shaped (cordate) at the base ; in the stem usually having a few 
short branches in the axils of the upper leaves ; and in the leaves being oblong, pointed, and 
heart-shaped (cordate) at the base, the upper ones partially clasping the stem (semi-amplexicaul) 
and the lower indistinctly stalked. 
Rare. In cultivated and waste ground ; in the south of England, reaching Worcester, and found 
in Yorkshire. July — October. Annual. 
4. Upright Spurge. (Euphorbia stric'ta. Linn.) — This species is very similar to the 
last, the Broad-leaved Spurge (Euphorbia platyphyllos), but has usually only 1 or 2 staminate 
flowers in each head ; the capsules are smaller and have longer conical warts ; and the stem is 
more slender and has more numerous flower-branches below the main cluster. 
Very rare. In limestone woods ; in Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire. June — August. Annual. 
5. Irish Spurge. (Euphorbia hiber'na. Linn.)— A most beautiful species, with a 
compact flower-cluster usually of 5 flower-branches (rays) from the top of the main stem, which 
are once or twice shortly forked ; the glands of the involucre are kidney-shaped (reniform) and 
entire ; the capsule large, roundish, smooth (glabrous), with cylindrical warts ; and the floral- 
leaves are egg-shaped or oblong, usually yellowish. [As described in the genus Spurge 
(Euphorbia).] The stems are 1-2 feet high, stout, usually unbranched, though there 
are several stems from the crown of the root ; the leaves are alternate, stalkless (sessile), oblong, 
blunt, and entire, often 2-4 inches long. The whole plant is light green with yellowish flower- 
clusters. 
In Ireland this species is sometimes put into the streams, as it possesses properties which stupefy 
the fish and so enable them to be obtained without trouble. 
Very rare and local. In woods; in Devonshire, and in Ireland in County Kerry. May — June’. 
Perennial. 
6. *Sweet Spurge. (Euphorbia dul'cis. Linn.) — A species not native but found in 
one or two places, with a flower-cluster of 5 long branches (rays) which are forked at the apex ; 
the glands of the involucre rounded ; the capsules with a few prominent warts ; the floral-leaves 
triangular ; the stem erect and about 1 foot high ; and the leaves inversely egg-shaped (obovate) 
and blunt. 
Not a native. An escape from cultivation ; in Essex and Llansilin. June. Perennial. 
7. *Coral Spurge. (Euphorbia coralloides. Linn.) — Another species not native in 
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