Sea Spurge is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in sand dunes and shingle beaches, to a mature height of up to 50cm.
Sea Spurge is an erect, largely unbranched, smooth succulent plant. It throws up multiple stems from its base, each covered in whorls of unstalked bluish-green leaves. The stems may be green or reddish in colour. Sea Spurge bears yellowish-green flowerheads, with flowers devoid of petals, in terminal umbels. Each flowerhead contains one female flower, surrounded by multiple male flowers, with four gold-coloured nectar-producing glands at the base to attract pollinators.
Botanic classification and naming: Sea Spurge is a member of the Spurge (Euphorbiaceae) family. The genus name
'Euphorbia' identifies the plant as a Spurge and its species name 'paralias' means 'beach'.
Concerns: Sea Spurge sap is toxic and can cause significant damage to skin and eyes on contact.
|