Euphorbia is a genus in the family Euphorbiaceae. Consisting of 2008 species, Euphorbia is the fourth largest genus of flowering plants. Succulent species originate mostly from Africa, the Americas and Madagascar. The common name “spurge” derives from the Middle English/Old French espurge (“to purge”), due to the use of the plant’s sap as a medicinal purgative. The plants are annual or perennial herbs, woody shrubs or trees. Smaller Euphorbias make excellent potted plants while larger species are valuable landscaping plants.

Euphorbia avasmontana, also known as Euphorbia hottentota, Euphorbia kalaharica and Euphorbia sagittaria is a South African indigenous species found also in Namibia and from the Richtersveld to Prieska. They are many stemmed, spiny, columnar cactus-like succulents branching at the base. They grow 2m to 2,5m tall and can sucker to nearly as wide. It is a very neat habit and makes a good specimen landscape plant in a xeriscape garden.