This is one of the two commonest spurges that you should easily find on waste or arable ground. It can be small or quite well developed like this one but the typical Spurge reproductive parts can easily be seen. Spurges tend to exude a white latex when cut so many of the old names refer to this acrid and poisonous substance giving names like Devil's Milk or Devil's Churn-staff to Euphorbia helioscopia.

E. helioscopia is found throughout England, Wales, Ireland and southern Scotland but in the the far north it tedn to be restricted to sites near the coast.

Verge near Garswood, 22nd August 2004

Added on December 10th 2004, updated 12th January 2009, updated 30th March 2010