Euphorbia helioscopia

Erect or ascending annual herb to c. 50 cm high, with a few fine spreading hairs on upper parts; stems 1–few, each with 3–5 terminal fertile branches which are further branched. Cauline leaves shortly petiolate, alternate, obovate-spathulate, 1–4 cm long, 8–25 mm wide, apex obtuse, margins serrate in upper half; leaves on fertile branches similar to cauline leaves but mostly smaller, verticillate, usually finely hairy above and below. Cyathia solitary in upper forks or 1–3 terminal; peduncles to c. 0.5 mm long; involucre campanulate, 1.5–2 mm long; glands ellipsoid, c. 0.5 mm long, lacking appendages; female flowers with styles erect and truncate. Capsule cordate, c. 2 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, ridged, smooth, glabrous; seeds ovoid, 1.5–2 mm long, reticulate-rugulose, brown, caruncle reniform, fleshy, yellow. Flowers mostly Jul.–Oct.