# Crown of Thorns (*Euphorbia*)

The Crown of Thorns is a unique plant with spiky stems and colorful flowers. It’s named for its thorny appearance, just like a crown!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Dry, tropical areas
- **Also known as:** Christ Plant, Euphorbia Crown of Thorns, Euphorbia milii

![Crown of Thorns](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426427/objects/5084.jpg)

## Appearance

The Crown of Thorns is a spiny, succulent shrub featuring woody stems densely covered in sharp, greyish-brown thorns. Its inconspicuous true flowers are encircled by vibrant, petal-like bracts, typically bright red, pink, or yellow, creating a striking visual against its green leaves.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Malpighiales
- **Family:** Euphorbiaceae
- **Genus:** Euphorbia

## Interesting facts

- Even though it looks spiky like a cactus, it's actually a succulent plant!
- In its wild home, this plant can grow into a woody shrub over six feet tall!
- Its common name comes from a belief it was used in the biblical Crown of Thorns!
- The plant's vibrant 'flowers' are actually special leaves called bracts, not true petals!

## Special abilities

- **Spiky Armor:** Crown of Thorns has super sharp thorns covering its stems that help it defend against hungry animals trying to take a bite.
- **Water Tank Stems:** Crown of Thorns can store water in its thick, succulent stems, allowing it to survive long periods without rain.
- **Sticky Shield Sap:** Crown of Thorns produces a milky, irritating sap that oozes when cut, helping to protect it from pests.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 60-180 cm
- **Spread:** 30-90 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Year-round
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Moderate
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Collects pollen and nectar.
- **Pollinates:** [Red Admiral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-admiral) (*Vanessa atalanta*) — Feeds on nectar.

## Traits

- [Everblooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/everblooming): Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period.
- [Thorny Stem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thorny-stem): Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
- [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.

## Collections

- [Grasses](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses)
- [Grasses, Shrubs & Bushes](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses-shrubs-and-bushes)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Crown of Thorns?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Crown of Thorns?

60-180 cm

### How wide does Crown of Thorns spread?

30-90 cm

### How big are the flowers on Crown of Thorns?

1-2.5 cm

### When does Crown of Thorns bloom?

Year-round

### Is Crown of Thorns edible?

No

### Is Crown of Thorns toxic?

Moderate

### What is Crown of Thorns's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Carver Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carver-park) — Illinois, US · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Crown of Thorns: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crown-of-thorns)