A. RADCLIFFE-SMITH
Euphorbia pilosa var. cornigera (Boiss.) Hook. f.
An erect glabrous or sparingly pubescent or pilose perennial herb upto 1 m tall, although commonly 40-70 cm tall, with several stems arising from a stout woody stock. Stem-leaves alternate, sessile; leaf-blades oblong-lanceolate or oblong-oblanceolate, sometimes narrowly so, (2-) 3-7 (-10) x 0.5-2 cm, acute, subacute, obtuse or rounded at the apex, attenuate, cuneate or rounded at the base, minutely serrulate, at least towards the tip, or subentire, obscurely penninerved. Pseudumbels 5-9 (-15)-rayed, the rays trifid then bind; several axillary rays or branches developed below the pseudumbels; pseudumbel leaves 5-9 (-15), whorled, ovate to lanceolate and varying considerably in size; ray-leaves whorled (in 3’s) or opposite, deltoid, ovate, rhombic or suborbicular, 0.5-2 x0.5-2 cm, subacute to rounded at the apex, rounded-cuneate to truncate at the base, green or yellowish. Cyathia sessile. Glands transversely elliptic, rounded on the outer edge, yellow. Fruit trilobate-subglobose, 5 x 6 mm, covered with narrowly conical processes 0.5-1 mm long, glabrous or sparingly pubescent and glabrescent. Styles erect, united to c. halfway, 3.5 mm long, shortly bifid. Seeds ovoid-subglobose, 2.5 x 2 x 1.75 mm, smooth, pale grey, with a small subterminal subglobose caruncle.
Fl. Per.: Apr: Sept. Fr. Per.: May-Nov.
Holotype: Kashmir, 1831, V. Jacquernont s.n. (P).
Distribution: N.W. India. On steep grassy hillsides, in sand, on old avalanche tracks, by roadsides; 3300'/1000 m. - 12300'/3750 m.
Duthie 13863, only 25 cm tall, and with the leaves 2 cm long, is intermediate between this species and Euphorbia micractina Boiss. (q.v.).