Irish wildflowers BSBI map

Sun Spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia, Lus na bhfaithní
Photographs: Co. Cork

Sun Spurge
Euphorbia helioscopia
Lus na bhfaithní
Family: Euphorbiaceae

Flowering: May-October. Annual. Probably introduced.

The tiny yellow-green flowers surrounded by yellow, toothed bracts are in 5-rayed umbels. Oval leaves with the upper part finely toothed grow from single, erect, reddish stems. The stems contain a white, milky latex which can be a skin and eye irritant. Height: 20-50cm

Very common on waste, arable and disturbed ground.

Similar: Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplus. Flowers in 3-rayed umbels

Sun Spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia, Lus na bhfaithní

Sun Spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia, Lus na bhfaithní
Sun Spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia, Lus na bhfaithní

Please Contact me if you find mistakes. All images are copyright.