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 monteiroi is a South African indigenous evergreen, succulent, perennial plant producing a number of usually unbranched stems from a woody rootstock. The roots are occasionally rhizomatous, branching below ground to form spreading plants. The whole plant usually grows up to 30cm tall, though can sometimes be up to 75cm. The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal uses.