Family: Euphorbiaceae
Angiosperms: Eudicots: Rosids: Order - Malpighiales
2 British genera: Euphorbia and Mercurialis
2 British genera: Euphorbia and Mercurialis
Euphorbia portlandica (Portland Spurge) Family: Euphorbiaceae
There are ~14 Euphorbia species occurring in Britain. E.paralias is characterised by having crescent-shaped glands around the female flower (a feature shared with at least 7 other species); stem glabrous (excludes E.amygdaloides (Wood Spurge)); more than one stem (excludes E.peplus/exigua (Petty/Dwarf Spurges); and succulent leaves in a maritime habitat. E.paralias (Sea Spurge) is similar - the diagnostic differences is a prominent mid-rib on the underside of the leaf in E.portlandica, this mid-rib being absent in E.paralias. Unfortunately, this specimen has no visible leaves (the leaf-like structures seen here are bracts). The bracts of E.portlandica end in a tiny point, which is visible here and absent in E.paralias. E.paralias also tends to be taller with unbranched stems and flowers later (Jul-Oct vs May-Sep).
There are ~14 Euphorbia species occurring in Britain. E.paralias is characterised by having crescent-shaped glands around the female flower (a feature shared with at least 7 other species); stem glabrous (excludes E.amygdaloides (Wood Spurge)); more than one stem (excludes E.peplus/exigua (Petty/Dwarf Spurges); and succulent leaves in a maritime habitat. E.paralias (Sea Spurge) is similar - the diagnostic differences is a prominent mid-rib on the underside of the leaf in E.portlandica, this mid-rib being absent in E.paralias. Unfortunately, this specimen has no visible leaves (the leaf-like structures seen here are bracts). The bracts of E.portlandica end in a tiny point, which is visible here and absent in E.paralias. E.paralias also tends to be taller with unbranched stems and flowers later (Jul-Oct vs May-Sep).