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Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplus Family: Euphorbiaceae
Petty Spurge
Euphorbia peplus


Flowering time: April-November. Annual.

Very common in gardens, on waste and arable land, roadsides and pavements. Less frequent in Scotland.

A hairless, upright plant, the yellow-green, 3-rayed umbels containing minute glands of crescent-shaped flowers. The seed capsules are 3-sided and ridged. Leaves are stalked, untoothed and alternate.

Similar: Sun Spurge, E. helioscopia has larger, 5-rayed flower umbels.


Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplus

Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplus
Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplus
Holton Lee and Broadstone, Dorset. October 2012, November 2022

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