Euphorbia dulcis, L.

34. E. dulcis L. View in CoL View at ENA , Sp. Pl. 457 (1753) View Cited Treatment .

More or less pubescent perennial 20-50 cm. Rhizome long, thicker than the stems, fleshy, swollen and jointed. Stems slender, scaly at base, terete, with (0-)4-8 axillary rays. Leaves 25-70 mm, elliptical to oblong. Ray-leaves shorter than rays, like the cauline but wider; rayletleaves triangular-subcordate, serrulate. Rays (3-)5(-8), slender. Glands dark purple after flowering. Capsule 3-4 mm, deeply sulcate, glabrous or pubescent, irregularly and sometimes sparsely covered with cylindrical and hemispherical tubercles. Seeds 2-3-2-6mm, smooth, dark brown. 2/i=12, 24. Damp or shady places. • W. & C. Europe, extending locally southwards to C. Italy and Macedonia. Au Be Bu Co Cz Ga Ge He Ho Hs Hu It Ju Lu Po Rm Rs (W) [Br Da].

E. deseglisei Boreau ex Boiss. in DC., Prodr. 15(2): 128 (1862), resembles 34 in its leaves, but is said to differ from it in having the rays shorter than the ray-leaves. It occurs sporadically in France and may be an abnormality or a hybrid, but requires further investigation.