Euphorbia monteiroi - 10 Seed Pack - Indigenous Succulent - Insured Combined Shipping - NEW

Euphorbia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. Consisting of 2008 species, Euphorbia is the fourth largest genus of flowering plants. The family is primarily found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and the Americas, but also in temperate zones worldwide. 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 with a caustic, poisonous milky sap (latex). 

In the genus Euphorbia, succulence in the species has often evolved divergently and to differing degrees. Sometimes it is difficult to decide, and it is a question of interpretation, whether or not a species is really succulent or "only" xerophytic.

About 850 species are succulent in the strictest sense. If one includes slightly succulent and xerophytic species, this figure rises to about 1000, representing about 45% of all Euphorbia species. 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.