Leafy spurge
Euphorbia esula
Family: Euphorbiaceae
What it is like
A small herb. It grows 15-60 cm high. It has tough deep roots and keeps growing from these from year to year. The leaves are alternate and narrowly oblong. They are scattered along the stem and in rings at the top. The flower is yellowish-green and they are in heads. The male and female flowers are on a pair of leaf like bracts. The fruit is a dry capsule. It has 3 seeds.
There are about 2000 Euphorbia species. Most Euphorbias have sap which irritates the skin.
Where it is found
It grows in fields and waste places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Canada, Central Asia, Europe, Korea, North America, Tajikistan, USA
How it is used for food
Caution: All Euphorbias or spurges have irritating sap and many have chemicals that can cause cancer.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
It can grow from seed or from creeping roots.