Euphorbia burmannii, called steenbokbos or bloumelkbos in Afrikaans, is a multi-stemmed succulent occurring widely in the Eastern Cape, Little Karoo, Great Karoo and the west coast northwards through Namaqualand, the Richtersveld and into Namibia. Whilst drought tolerant, it is thought by some to be  unpalatable to grazing animals, although indications have also been found (www.elsenburg.com) that it is as palatable to sheep as for instance old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia, which is widely introduced on arid land stock farms as emergency grazing) and soetdoring (Acacia karroo, the seed pods of which are palatable and sought after by livestock and game).

Steenbokkos has cylindrical green stems with short-lived leaves on the young growth at the tips. In dry conditions pieces may drop off the plant and take root if conditions allow. It produces yellow flowers in winter and spring.