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 tirucalli commonly known as Hedge Euphorbia, Pencil Plant or Tirucalli Tree in English and Kraalmelkbos or Kraal-naboom in Afrikaans is a South African indigenous species with a wide distribution range. It can be found in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. Euphorbia tirucalli has unmistakable, brush-like branch masses that are a noticeable feature of the plant. It also occurs over the widest distribution of all local euphorbias and is also a very variable plant ranging from many-branched shrubs to large trees, depending on the particular habitat.