Euphorbia polychroma, commonly called spurge, is a hardy perennial member of the same genus as poinsettia. Like its holiday cousin, its "flowers" are actually modified leaves, called bracts, that surround the inconspicuous flowers. Depending on temperature, sunlight, and rainfall, the golden-yellow bracts are sometimes purple- or red-tipped.

There are more than 600 species in the genus Euphorbia, and they can be found around the world. In desert regions, they tend to be succulent long-lived perennials, or very short-lived annuals. In tropical regions, they range to small trees, vines, and shrubs, while in temperate zones they are most often herbaceous perennials.