Euphorbias are members of one of the largest plant families, the Euphorbiaceae. This family contains 300 genera and over 5000 species, around 7500 varieties. The Euphorbia species alone includes about 2000 varieties: annuals, biennials, perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees. Some of these have succulent type leaves, some are deciduous, others evergreen; some are extremely hardy whilst others are tropical and very tender. In fact, the most interesting thing about Euphorbias is the amazing range of plant forms they display, especially in terms of size, conditions in which they grow: tolerance for heat and water needs and the varying lengths of time for which any individual plant can live. Most Euphorbias contain a milky liquid but sometimes this can be colourless. Euphorbia was named after Euphorbus, a 1st century Greek physician to King Juba of Mauritania.

Euphorbia dendroides, is a small tree of the family Euphorbiaceae. ‘dendroides’ come from Greek Word from ‘dendron‘ meaning a tree, referring to the general tree-like structure of the plant. Tree Spurge has a wide distribution throughout the Mediterranean Sea, It is found primarily in southern Europe from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Aegean Islands and southern coast of Turkiye in the east. It is restricted to Tunisia and Egypt in North Africa.

Euphorbia dendroides is a dome-shaped, woody shrub with red bark and white milky juice, up to 3 m tall and wide. It shows, hemispherical growth so also named “round-topped tree”. The spherical form is the result of a peculiar, forked branching growth.  Oblong-lanceolate leaves are alternate, clustered at end of branches up to 7 cm long and 1 cm wide. Lower leaves pendulous and often reddish, upper ones semi-erect and those under the inflorescence erect on the young branches. In spring, adult plants produce hundreds of inflorescences called cyathia, grouped in clusters of one to 6 cyathia subtended by yellowish petal-like bracts. After flowering period, the leaves take on a reddish colour by producing antocyanin pigments.

Tree Spurge loses all the leaves at summer to limit transpiration. New leaves start to develop in the autumn and grows predominantly in the rainy winter. Succulent branches of the plant turn woody and corky at the base. The epidermis on higher branches, is greenish glaucous or pinkish with clear scars.Propagation can be done by seed or cuttings. Plant needs full sun to keep its compact growth-form. If they are not kept in full sun, grow faster but became untidy. During the summer, plant lose their leaves and enter in a rest period, in this period watering should be diminished.

Euphorbia dendroides is sensitive to severe frost, naturaly it grows on protected and sunny mountain sides or hilly areas near the sea. Probably can take freeze down -10 °C. Plant is susceptible to mealy bugs, scale insects and spider mites.

Tree Spurge: like many other species of genus Euphorbia is toxic. Plant has uses in traditional medicine, since ancient times. White and sticky sap has been used to treat skin excrescences, like cancers, tumours, and warts since ancient times. Some studies offer the evidence of the possible use of the polyphenol extracts from the aerial parts of Euphorbia dendroides as promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Use in Landscape: Tree Spurge has been introduced to many countries out of its original range as an ornamental tree. It is one of the interesting plants to use in Xeriscape or Mediterranean gardens. It is also a good choice for rock gardens. Euphorbia dendroides an easy to grow plant for pot culture. Outdoors it requires a deep sandy soil. It slowly grows into a large, many stemmed tree. They grow quite large and if used at hillsides in suitable climate, at time whole area often covered with them.