Sun spurge and petty spurge

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Peter Smith
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Joined: 19/06/2011
Sun spurge and petty spurge

The two descriptions appear identical. Is that correct?  If so, is there a good way to tell the species apart?

David Nicholls
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Joined: 23/12/2010
Sun vs Petty Spurge

Hi Peter,

It looks like you've picked up a duplication error in our descriptions - thanks for spotting it and we'll get it corrected. An easy way to tell them apart is that Sun Spurge has toothed leaves (the only UK spurge to have these) and Petty Spurge leaves are untoothed. In practice they are easy to tell apart without looking too hard. Sun Spurge is larger and has saucer shaped (sun-shaped?) flowers. It also tends to be more yellowy green, particularly when young. Petty Spurge is more spindly and has less showy flowers.

Dave