Pink Crown of Thorns

A neglected Euphorbia on the sidewalk.  

Euphorbia milii is technically a succulent and a tough plant that can take just about anything but I guess it needs some water, too.  I believe once upon a time, somebody took care of this plant because it was planted  in a nice pot.  I'd like to think this flower is being heroic, blooming for passers-by.

Happy Easter!

 

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Today's Flower

Euphorbia

E is for Euphorbia

Consisting of 2008 species, Euphorbia is one of the largest and the most diverse genera in the plant kingdom, commonly referred to as spurges.  Eurphorbias are mostly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and the Americas, and in temperate zones worldwide.  The botanical name Euphorbia derives from Euphorbus, the Greek physician of King Juba II of  Numidia (50-52 BC - 23 AD), who married the daughter of Anthony and Cleopatra.  He wrote that one of the cactus-like Euphorbia was a powerful laxative.  "Spurge" derives from the Middle English/Old French espurge ("to purge") due to the use of the plant's sap as a purgative.

These are  Eurphorbia milii also known as Crown of Thorns, Christ plant, a species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaciae.   Various colors and cultivars grow all over the Philippines but it is endemic to Madagascar.  It's a succulent climbing shrub with dense spiny stems and straight slender spines of about 3 cm long with poisonous milky sap.  Legend associates it with the crown of thorns worn by Christ before his crucifixion.

Euphorbia milii

Another species of Euphorbia, locally known as tawa-tawa and gatas-gatas, (Euphorbia hirta) is believed to contain significant anti-thrombocytopenic properties that may increase platelet count of patients suffering from hemorrhagic fever like dengue.  This herb grows in grasslands and road sides all over the Philippines.  When I was a kid, we treated sore eyes with the milky sap of this plant.

A study about Euphorbia hirta conducted by Pharmacy students of  the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila won the 1st prize in the 2012 Philippine National Health Research System Week.

In the study, Euphorbia hirta was found to promote cell production, and prevents platelet destruction.  Further research on  the efficacy of this plant against dengue is now being fast-tracked by the government.  Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is killing hundreds of people, mostly children, every year.  There are no specific anti-viral drugs for dengue.

The popular Poinsettia, or Euphorbia pulcherrima, belongs to the diverse spurge family of Euphorbiaciae.

Euphorbias are tough plants and can take just about anything---both salt and drought-tolerant.  They're easy to grow, according to my aunt who used to cultivate all colors of Euphorbia milii.  I have been attracted to succulents and wanted to grow reds and two-tone Euphorbia milii but since I have a dog, I abandoned the idea. The thorns could be dangerous to pets and small children.

"A love that you withhold is the pain that you carry." 
~ Alex Collier

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Red Crown of Thorns

Crown of Thorns, Euphorbia milii, Christ plant

Please know that I am aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others. (--in a letter to her husband, before her last flight) ~ Amelia Earhart

Most of us look at our ideals, say how far we are from them, and get depressed. But it is heroic simply to say, "Here are my ideals," state them before the world, and then spend your life trying to live up to them. ~ Keshavan Nair

When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.

~ Confucious

Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself. ~ William Faulkner

The Question: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? ~ Robert Schuller

 

 

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Euphorbia Milii

@ mirandablue

Euphorbia Milii, also known as Crown of Thorns, is a woody, spiny, climbing succulent shrub with shoots reaching the height of 6 feet.  The common name alludes to the legend that the Euphorbia Milii worn by Christ at the time of his crucifixion was made from the 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 Madagascar, had been brought to the Middle East before the time of Christ.

The Euphorbia Milii is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family).  It is a large family, including such plants as Poinsettia, Castor Bean, Cassava.  Most members of the Spurge family exude a sticky white sap (latex) from any cut surface.  The sap can cause painful and itchy rash if it comes in contact with the skin, and is poisonous if ingested.

This plant loves sunshine.

@mirandablue

Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word. 

~ George R.R. Martin

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Crown of Thorns

Corona de Espina, Euphorbia milli Desmoul, Crown of Thorns

Consisting of around 300 genera and 7,500 species, Euphorbia, sometimes known as spurges, is one of the most diverse genera in the plant kingdom.  This specie of Euphorbia is a native of Madagascar, and widely cultivated in the Philippines.  A few years ago, there was a craze of collecting Euphorbias in every color. My aunt and her friends traveled all over looking for Euphorbias.

Popularly used in South Brazil with "dragon's blood", the red latex from Christ's Crown of Thorns is used as treatment for warts.  In Chinese folk medicine, Euphorbia compounds are used in cancer treatment.

In a study of 41 plants tested against E. Coli, Shigella spp (a bacteria that causes dysentery) and Vibrios spp (a bacteria causes foodborne disease) among others, Euphorbia milli was one of the 28 that showed anti-bacterial activity.  Dry flower powder of Euphorbia milli was found to have 100% total inhibition of Aspergillus (a fungi, mold species).  The crude latex of Euphorbia milli is a potent plant molluscicide (pesticides against molluscs to control snails, slugs)  and a promising alternative to synthetic molluscicide used in schistosomiasis (also known as snail fever, a chronic parasitic disease) control.

 

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