Euphorbia milii, also known as Crown of Thorns, is a trailing shrub. Its many-branched stem ranges from 60 to 100 centimeters in length and 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter, characterized by vertical ridges and densely covered with hard, sharp conical thorns.
These thorns, measuring 1 to 1.5 centimeters long and 0.5 to 1.0 millimeter in diameter, are commonly arranged in 3 to 5 rows spiraling around the ridges. Its leaves are opposite, usually clustered on tender branches, either ovate or elongated spoon-shaped, with entire margins.
The inflorescences, consisting of two or eight groups, are formed in a bifurcated complex array, located in the upper leaf axils of the branches. Enclosed within a bell-shaped involucre with a 5-lobed edge, are several male flowers and one female flower, commonly nestled within the involucre. Euphorbia milii blooms and fruits all year round.
Native to Africa (Madagascar), it is widely cultivated in the tropical and temperate regions of the Old World. Euphorbia milii is easy to cultivate, has a long flowering period, and its red bracts are vivid and eye-catching. It is a highly popular potted plant.
Morphological Characteristics
Euphorbia milii is a trailing shrub. Its many-branched stem, ranging from 60 to 100 centimeters in length and 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter, is characterized by vertical ridges and densely covered with hard, sharp conical thorns.
These thorns, measuring 1 to 1.5 centimeters long and 0.5 to 1.0 millimeter in diameter, are commonly arranged in 3 to 5 rows spiraling around the ridges.
The leaves are opposite, usually clustered on tender branches, either ovate or elongated spoon-shaped, measuring 1.5–5.0 centimeters in length and 0.8–1.8 centimeters in width. The apex of the leaves is round, with a small pointed tip, and the base is gradually narrowed with an entire margin.
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