Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge

A distinctive annual spurge that grows on arable land and in waste places, preferring well-drained, neutral or base-rich soils in sunny locations. The seeds have a nutritious oil body (an elaiosome) attached to them which attracts ants that carry them off, thus aiding dispersal. It is widespread and common throughout much of Britain and Ireland, but less common in the Scottish highlands. It is a lowland species in West Glamorgan, frequent in arable fields in Gower and occasional in disturbed areas and waste places elsewhere, mostly in coastal areas.

Archaeophyte