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 grandidens commonly known as Large-toothed Euphorbia is an indigenous species that can become a tangled shrub of succulent, angular, relatively thin, branching green stems, usually three sided and mostly spineless. Larger plants tend to fall, or have large portions broken off onto the ground, where they might re-root and start new plants. With time and lack of care this Euphorbia will make a big hedge. Shrubby and makes a great barrier plant. Can be grown in the landscape in frost free areas but also does very well in pots on a covered veranda. It can also be cut and kept short or be allowed to grow tall. It does tend to rot easily if overwatered.