Euphorbia mauritanica (Golden Spurge)

Euphorbia mauritanica, commonly known as Yellow Milk Bush or Golden Spurge, is a species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae native to Africa. Euphorbia mauritanica is a monoecious, spineless, much-branched succulent shrub, about 1.5m high, with branches arising from a thick root stock. Branches are yellowish green, pencil-thin, cylindrical and smooth, with alternate leaf scars. This plant produces yellow cyathia (the term used for the inflorescence of euphorbias) that are in a compact group at the end of each young branch. The flowering period is in spring, between August and October. When the plant is injured, it produces milky sap at the cut.

CAUTION: All parts of this plant are toxic to people and animals. The milky sap may cause skin irritation.