Authors: C. Stace, R. van der Meijden (ed.) & I. de Kort (ed.)
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Scientific name:

Euphorbia lathyris

Vernacular name:

Spurge, Caper


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Caper Spurge

Scientific name: Euphorbia lathyris L.

Diagnostic features
Glabrous biennial.
Stems to 1m in 1st year, producing inflorescence from top and to 2m in 2nd year.
Leaves linear to narrowly oblong-lanceolate, sessile, entire, ± glaucous.
Capsules smooth, glabrous.
Seeds rugose.

Chromosome number: 2n=20.

Habitat and distribution
Possibly native in shady places in South England, frequent casual or naturalized alien in waste places and gardens over much of Britain and Channel Islands.

This species is keyed out on Page 2075 in the Text Key.

Euphorbia lathyris (Spurge, Caper)
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