CSIR-NEERI Biodiversity Portal

NEERI Biodiversity Portal

Easy access to campus Biodiversity...

Facilitates Learning & Sharing Knowledge of Biodiversity on a Click

NBP was inaugurated by Dr. M.S. Ladania, Director, NRCC Nagpur on 8 April 2015

Crown of Thorns / Christ Plant

Euphorbia milii

Botanical name	: Euphorbia milii .
Common Name	: Crown of Thorns/ Christ Plant
Family	: Euphorbiaceae
Synonym	: Euphorbia bevilanensis
About	: Crown of Thorns, Euphorbia milii is a succulent shrub growing 5 to 6 feet tall. The woody stems are grayish brown, branched and with many prominent grey spines. The thick fleshy leaves are arranged in spiral and they are bright green to grayish green, oval shaped with a smooth edge. The inflorescence is composed of a specialized structure called a cyathium comprising a cup-like involucre, within which there is a single much reduced female flower surrounded by three male flowers reduced to single stamens. The cyathia are borne in clusters (cymes) and each cyanthium has two colorful bracts. Plants are blooming year round, but are at their best in dry and sunny locations. Euphorbia milii is native to Madagascar.