General Description:

Euphorbia is a large genus comprising over 1500 species and is found in all continents except Antartica, with the greatest diversity being in tropical areas. There are about 100 species native to Australia and a number of exotic species have become naturalised (eg Sea Spurge, Euphorbia paralias, a serious environmental weed).

Euphorbia australis is an annual or perennial shrub of upright or spreading habit, varying in height from prostrate to about 1 metre. It has succulent stems with small, oval-shaped leaves from 5 to 8 mm long with finely toothed margins. The flowers occur in greenish to red cyathia, which are specialized inflorescences typical of the Euphorbiaceae. A cyathium consists of a cup-like structure of modified leaves or bracts surrounding a central pistil (female) and male stamens. This arrangement resembles an individual flower. Flowering occurs in spring and summer.

This species is rarely seen in cultivation but the prostrate forms with reddish cyathia have potential for gardens in drier locations, preferably in sunny and well drained soils. Like many Euphorbias, the plant has a milky sap that can be irritating to skin and eyes.

Euphorbias are propagated by both seed and cuttings. Although specific data for E.australia is sparse, it would be expected that it would respond successfully to both methods.