Orchid Crown of Thorns

 
Common name: Orchid Crown of Thorns
Botanical name: Euphorbia milii splendens    Family: Euphorbiaceae (castor family)
The largest of the Crown of Thorns with 1" orchid red blooms and large stiff canes creating a somewhat more upright mature specimen. E. milii, a native to Madagascar, is a succulent, with thick, fleshy stems adapted for water storage. The stems are 5-7 sided, greyish-brown, branched & up to 2-3' in height, with many prominent, grey 1" spines. The leaves tend to be obovate (wider near the tip), up to 1½ long, but much larger (to 6") in the Thai hybrids. They are spirally arranged, have smooth margins, & vary from bright green to grey-green. Foliage is present only on new growth. E. milii var splendens is similar, but grows to 5-6'.