It looks like my cyber gardeners won. These guys are faaaast …
Samantha my dear, your plant is a Euphorbia milii, also known as "Crown of thorns" (very biblical!)
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(The following general info is copied from here)
The Crown of Thorns plant is a woody, spiny, climbing succulent shrub with shoots reaching a height of 6 feet. Leaves are found primarily on young growth, and the plant may defoliate completely if put under moisture or temperature stress. Subsequent growth will bear new leaves. The plant flowers nearly all year, and especially in the winter. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, but the brightly colored modified leaves (bracts) found just beneath the flowers are quite attractive.
Euphorbia - Euphorbus was the Greek physician of King Juba II (about 50 BC to 19 AD) of
Milii - named for Baron Milius, once governor of the island of Bourbon, who introduced the species into cultivation in
The common names allude to the legend that the Euphorbia Milii worn by Christ at the time of his crucifixion was made from stems of this plant. Interestingly, the stems of this plant are pliable and can be intertwined into a circle. There exists substantial evidence that the species, native to
Very biblical indeed! ;)
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Some more interesting information you will find in this page: desert-tropicals particularly the part that says : “As with the other Euphorbias, its sap is poisonous, it irritates the skin, and can cause temporary blindness if it goes in the eyes”
Uhu. Hear that? There will be NO eye rubbing with the Crown of Thorns.
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And lastly some more detailed information on how to take care of Euphorbia
(I copied this from this blog here)
Family: Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ay)
* Euphorbiaceae: The Euphorbia family, named for Euphorbus, Greek physician to Juba II, King of Mauretania.
Genus: Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh)
Species: Milli (MIL-ee-eye)
* Milii: Named for M. le baron Milius, Governor of Île Bourbon, present-day Île de la Réunion (Reunion Island)
Common Name: Crown of Thorns
Min. Temp: To 32° F (that is 0 °C)
Exposure: Sun to partial shade
Mature Height: 18 to 24 inches tall (that is 45.72 to 60.96 centimeters)
Bloom: All year round
Bloom Color: Orange / pink / red / white /yellow / multicolor
Water: When top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Water generously until water flows out of the bottom of the planter. Do not water again until soil is dry. (Discard extra water in plant saucer to prevent root rot.)
Propagation Methods: Stem cutting
Plant Pests: Prone to mealy bugs and rarely scale.
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And remember, it sleeps in the summer ;)
Enjoy your Crown milady ;)
