Euphorbia nicaeensis, All.

80. E. nicaeensis All. View in CoL View at ENA , FZ. Pedem. 1: 285 (1785)

( E. goldei Prokh. , E. pannonica Host , E. stepposa Zoz ex Prokh. , E. volgensis Krysht. ).

Glabrous or minutely papillose, glaucous, often reddish-suffused perennial up to 80 cm, with 0-10(-20) axillary rays. Leaves 10-75 x 3-18 mm, lanceolate to oblong or occasionally ovate, nearly entire, obtuse, coriaceous, 3(-7)- veined. Ray-leaves elliptic-ovate to suborbicular. Raylet-leaves transversely ovate or reniform, often yellowish. Rays (3-)5-18, once or twice dichotomous. Glands truncate to emarginate, or sometimes with 2 short horns. Capsule 3-4-5 x 3-4 mm, shallowly sulcate, rugulose, sometimes pubescent. Seeds 2-2-5 mm, ovoid, nearly smooth, rarely indistinctly pitted, pale grey. Dry, open ground. S., E. -& E.C. Europe, northwards to c. 53° N. in E. Russia. Al Au Bu Cz G a G r Hs Hu It Ju Lu Rm Rs (C, W, K, E) Tu.

Variable in size and shape of leaves, number of rays and degree o f indentation of the glands. A number of more or less local populations can be recognized and have often been given specific rank; the distinctions between them are of a minor nature and do not seem to be clear-cut, but 2 subspp. can be recognized.