Euphorbia cyparissias L.
cypress spurge
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
cypress spurge
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Species Information
General:
Perennial herb from a stout creeping rhizome; stems erect, simple below but freely branching above, glabrous, with milky juice, 15-30 cm tall.
Leaves:
Stem leaves alternate, lower leaves linear, 1-3 cm long, 1-3 mm wide, glabrous, leaves of axillary upper branches more numerous and narrower.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of many-rayed umbrella-shaped clusters; floral bracts oval to heart-shaped; involucres 3 mm long, bell-shaped; glands reddish-green, horned.
Fruits:
Capsules, finely warty; seeds 2 mm long, pale yellow, glabrous.
Illustration
If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.
Illustration Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia
Habitat and Range
Mesic to dry roadsides, fields and waste places in the lowland zone; rare in SW BC; introduced from Eurasia.Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Galarhoeus cyparissias (L.) Small ex Rydb.
Tithymalus cyparissias (L.) Hill