Wood Spurge (Euphorbia commutata)

Smooth, almost succulent perennial from 8 to 16" tall, often branched from the base. The young stems and leaves are commonly somewhat reddened. Stem leaves, about 0.6" long, are usually pale yellowish-green, numerous, mostly sessile, obovate or ablanceolate below, ovate to oval above, all shallowly toothed. The involucres terminate umbel-like branches at the top of the stem.

Leaves of the umbel are broadly triangular-reniform, tending to be fused together. The tiny flowers lack sepals and petals, and the yellow color in the inflorescence comes from crescent-shaped glands in the involucre. 

Bloom time: April - June. 

Where found: from the Western Highland Rim east in TN. In the U.S., the range is from PA to MN south to FL and TX. Frequent.