Wood Spurge is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland and hedgerows, to a mature height of up to 80cm.
Wood Spurge is a wild ancestor of cultivated garden spurges. Wood Spurge is a single-stemmed plant, terminating in branching flower stalks. The stem bears whorls of elongated round-tipped leaves. These are dark-green and matt, with hairy edges and undersides. The flower stalks are encircled by fused pairs of yellow-green rounded bracts. Wood Spurge has single-sex flowers without petals. These are grouped together inside terminal bracts, with a single central female flower being surrounded by several male flowers. At the base of each flower group is a cluster of four crescent-shaped glands, which secrete nectar to attract pollinators.
Botanic classification and naming: Wood Spurge is a member of the Spurge (Euphorbiaceae) family. The genus name
'Euphorbia' identifies the plant as a Spurge and its species name 'amygdaloides' means 'almond-like (leaf whorls)'.
Concerns: Wood Spurge sap is toxic and can cause significant damage to skin and eyes on contact. The plant is also toxic if ingested.
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