Wood Spurge - Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. amygdaloides

A perennial plant of old woodlands, with short rhizomes. The flowering stems are biennial, arising from the stem tops in the second year.  The leaves on the first year stems are obovate (wider near the tip) or oval, dull, light to mid green, hairy on undersides and edges.  

Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae - a garden plant, native of Turkey, which often escapes or is planted.  It is much commoner in VC55 than the native plant, and most recent records are for this

Records for this species should be confirmed by a County Recorder for botany.  It is rare and decreasing in VC55, and therefore a specimen should not be taken. Take detailed field photos and submit to NatureSpot as soon as possible; and if you think you have found it in a new location, inform the County Recorder as soon you can.

Old woodlands and hedges

The native species is rare in Leicestershire and Rutland, with recent records from a couple of ancient woodlands in Rutland (Pickworth Great Wood, Stretton Wood) and Ketton Quarry    

It is on the VC55 Rare Plant Register (Hall & Woodward 2022) as Locally Rare and decreasing.