Euphorbia celastroides var. kaenana, a member of the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, is a low-growing or upright shrub up to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall with milky sap. The leaves, which fall off during the dry season, are-mostly hairless and are arranged in two opposite rows along the stem; 2 to 6.5 cm (0.8 to 2.6 in) long and 1.8 to 2 cm (0.3 to 0.8 in) wide, being widest at the tip. Flower clusters (cyathia) are crowded on small side branches, and each produces a small erect capsule. Seeds are small, spherical, and gray or white.