THE SPURGE FAMILY 
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shorter ; the leaves smaller, strap-shaped (linear), and more numerous ; and the root with under- 
ground runners. 
Not a native. In woods ; in Westmorland. June — July. Perennial. 
12. Sea Spurge. (Euphorbia Par&lias. Linn.) — Flower-cluster (umbel) compact, 
usually of 5 short, thick, once or twice forked branches (rays), occasionally with a few short flower- 
ing branches just below. Glands of the involucre crescent-shaped with short horns ; capsules 
round and smooth ; floral-leaves egg-shaped (ovate), heart-shaped (cordate) at the base, not united. 
[As described in the genus Spurge (Euphorbia).] The stems are erect or ascending, 6 inches to 1 
foot high, some short and barren, others taller and flowering, densely crowded with short leathery 
(coriaceous) leaves, which are oblong, blunt, entire, and stalkless (sessile). The whole plant is of 
a pale green, covered with a bluish bloom (glaucous), and the lower part is often tinged with 
red. 
Not uncommon. On sandy sea-shores ; fairly common in the south and west of England up to 
Cumberland, rare on the east coast, not north of Suffolk, and local in Ireland. July — October. 
Perennial. 
13. Portland Spurge. (Euphbrbia portland'ica. Linn.) — Another maritime species 
with a flower-cluster (umbel) of 5 branches (rays), which are repeatedly forked, sometimes 4 times, 
with or without flower-branches in the leaf-axils below the terminal cluster. The glands of the 
involucre are 4 in number, crescent-shaped, and have long slender horns ; the capsule is round, with 
a ridge of small raised dots down the back of each lobe. [As described in the genus Spurge 
(Euphorbia).] The stems are erect or ascending, slender, very numerous, and form a small bush 
6-18 inches high, unbranched or with a few flowering branches underneath the main umbel; the 
leaves are thin, inversely egg-shaped (obovate), abruptly pointed (mucronate), entire, and covered 
with a bluish bloom (glaucous). This species, in common with many of this genus, is frequently 
tinged with bright red in the autumn. (. Euphorbia segetalis. Linn, in Benth. and Hook.) 
Rather rare. On the sea-shore, or on stony banks or cliffs by the sea ; in the south-west of 
England from the Isle of Wight to the Mull of Galloway in Scotland, and in Ireland. April — 
September. Perennial. 
14. Petty Spurge. (Euphbrbia Pep'Ius. Linn.) — A species with a large flower-cluster 
(umbel) of 3 branches (rays) which are repeatedly forked ; the involucral glands are crescent-shaped 
with long slender pointed horns ; the capsules smooth with a rough keel down the back of each 
lobe ; the floral-leaves are egg-shaped (ovate) or heart-shaped (cordate). The stems are 6 inches 
to 1 foot high, slender, solitary or branched from the base ; and the leaves are inversely egg-shaped 
(obovate), entire, and shortly stalked. 
Very common. In gardens, cultivated ground, and waste places, a very common garden weed ; 
throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland. July — November. Annual. 
15. Dwarf Spurge. (Euphorbia exig'ua. Linn.)— An unmistakable species, often only 
a few inches high, with clusters of 3, rarely 4 or 5, forked flowering branches (rays), usually 
occupying half the stem. The involucral glands are crescent-shaped with very fine pointed horns ; 
the capsules are smooth or with warted ridges ; and the floral-leaves are lance-shaped. The whole 
plant is frequently only 2 or 3 inches high, though it is occasionally 6-8 inches, and is branched 
from the base ; and the leaves are alternate, strap-shaped (linear), and entire. [ Plate 46. 
Common. In cultivated ground and waste places ; throughout England, the south of Scotland, 
and Ireland. June — October. Annual. 
16. Caper Spurge. (Euphorbia Lath'yrus. Linn.) — A very distinctive species, unlike 
all the preceding. The flower-cluster (umbel) has 3 or 4 long branches (rays) which are forked 
