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 loricata is a succulent with slender leaves at the branch tips which eventually dehisce and drop off, leaving the dried cyathium (flower) stems which resemble sharp spines. Endemic to South Africa, the plant has vertical growing, 7 to 10 cm diameter branches which branch from the base. Euphorbia loricata is relatively quick growing and will become a striking landscape plant in several years. Leaves get an attractive burgundy hue in the sun. A striking container plant in areas where temperatures drop below freezing, Euphorbia loricata does not mind being pot-bound and can be pruned for shape and branching. Elsewhere, it can be grown in the ground in well-draining rocky soil in cactus and succulent gardens.