Euphorbia milii

It is a woody succulent subshrub or shrub growing to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) tall, with densely spiny stems. The straight, slender spines, up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long, help it scramble over other plants. The fleshy, green leaves are found mainly on new growth,[2] and are up to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.59 in) broad. The flowers are small, subtended by a pair of conspicuous petal-like bracts, variably red, pink or white, up to 12 mm (0.47 in) broad.[5] [Wat Phrik]] in Thailand claims to be the home of the world's tallest Christ thorn plant.[6] The plant thrives between spring and summer but produces flowers all year round.

Mutation in Crown of thorns

The sap is moderately poisonous, and causes irritation on contact with skin or eyes. If ingested, it causes severe stomach pain, irritation of the throat and mouth, and vomiting. The poisonous ingredients have been identified as phorbol esters.[7] Euphorbia milii can be propagated from cuttings.[8] It is very toxic to domesticated animals such as, horses, sheep, cats and dogs.[9] For humans it is mildly toxic and only acts as an irritant.

Euphorbia milii has dual usage[10]

Pesticide The plant itself has proven to be an effective molluscicide and a natural alternative to pest control. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the usage of Euphorbia milii in aiding snail control.[11] Especially in endemic countries. Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease from freshwater parasites, carried by snails. Extracts from the plant are used to control the snail population to avoid getting infected from a parasite.

Medicinal Medicinal plants are very important to humans when it comes to developing drugs for ailments. In the family Euphorbiaceae, there are about 300 genera and 7,500 species that have their own unique medicinal values.[12]

E. milii is a variable species, and several varieties have been described; some of these are treated as distinct species by some authors.[5] E. milii var. splendens (syn. E. splendens) is considered to be the living embodiment of the supreme deity in Bathouism, a minority religion practiced by the Bodo people of Eastern India and Nepal.

• Euphorbia milii var. bevilaniensis (Croizat) Ursch & Leandri 1955
• Euphorbia milii var. hislopii (N.E.Br.) Ursch & Leandri 1955 (syn. E. hislopii)
• Euphorbia milii var. imperatae (Leandri) Ursch & Leandri 1955
• Euphorbia milii var. longifolia Rauh 1967
• Euphorbia milii var. milii
• Euphorbia milii var. roseana Marn.-Lap. 1962
• Euphorbia milii var. splendens (Bojer ex Hook.) Ursch & Leandri 1955
• Euphorbia milii var. tananarivae (Leandri) Ursch & Leandri 1955
• Euphorbia milii var. tenuispina Rauh & Razaf. 1991
• Euphorbia milii var. tulearensis Ursch & Leandri 1955
• Euphorbia milii var. vulcanii (Leandri) Ursch & Leandri 1955

E. milii is not hardy, and does not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F). In temperate areas it needs to be grown under glass in full sun. During the summer it may be placed outside in a sheltered spot, when all risk of frost is absent. The species[13]and the variety E. milii var. splendens[14] have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[15]

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  Euphorbia milii, crown of thorns
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  Christ thorn inflorescences (cyathia) opening
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  Emerging stem
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  Christ thorn inflorescence (cyathium) close up view
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  Euphorbia milii var splendens
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  Euphorbia milii
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  Euphorbia milii var. vulcanii
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  Euphorbia milii var. milii
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  Longitudinal section of the cyathium
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  Grown in Malaysia
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  Flower buds of crown-of-thorns (Euphorbia milii).
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  Infected euphorbia inflorescences (cyathia)
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  Close-up view of Euphorbia milii
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  In Prague botanic garden
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  Euphorbia milii from Kerala, India
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  Euphorbia milii in Pakistan
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  Euphorbia milii in Bangladesh.
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  Thorns of Euphorbia milii.
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  Leaf of Euphorbia milii from the back.
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  Leaf of Euphorbia milii from the back.