Scientific Name:
Euphorbia milii
(incl. hybrids)
Pronunciation:
you-FOR-bee-uh MILL-ee-eye
Common Name:
crown of thorns
Family Name:
Euphorbiaceae
Plant Type:
Flowering pot plant
Key ID Features:
Leaves obovate, <6cm long; cyathia with small greenish florets and 2 petal-like red or yellow bracts.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Irregular
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Origin:
Africa (Madagascar)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 10: (-1 to 4 °C)
Exposure:
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Indoor plant
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Lustrous
Shapes:
Obovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Obtuse
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Cyathium
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Red (Showy red or cream bracts)
Flower Time at Peak:
Feb, Mar, Apr
Additional Info:
Cyathia arranged in a cyme.
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Green, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Additional Info:
Mericarps (3) split open to release a single seed
Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey
Additional Info:
Prickles with age
Organ Modifications:
Leaf-like bracts, Prickles, Succulent stems
Propagation:
Stem tip cuttings
Optimal Temp.:
High
Light Level:
High
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
Root rot, Scale insects (Drought tolerant)
