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 keithii is a succulent spiny shrub or small tree that will reach from 2 to 6 meters tall with a crown of spreading-ascending branches. The branches can reach 1 to 2 meters long and are usually with five angles though it can have 4 or 6 depending on environmental conditions. The branches are constricted into segments up to 25 × 3 to 4cm.