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Euphorbia
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Euphorbia

Euphorbia Mili

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameEuphorbia
DescriptionSpiny succulent shrub featuring thorny stems and small, colorful petal-like bracts (modified leaves) in shades of red, pink, yellow, white, or orange surrounding tiny, inconspicuous flowers. Blooms nearly year-round in warm conditions, creating continuous color displays. Named 'Crown of Thorns' for resemblance to Christ's crown, with legend claiming it was the plant used. Hardy and drought-tolerant, popular as houseplant and in xeriscaping. All parts contain toxic, irritating milky sap.
FamilyEuphorbiaceae
GenusEuphorbia
TribeEuphorbieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaMale: EBr ⊕ ♂ K0 C0 A1, Female: EBr ⊕ ♀ K0 C0 G(3)

Cyathium (unique Euphorbia structure): Ebracteate, radially symmetrical, unisexual flowers. Male flowers - no sepals, no petals, 1 stamen. Female flower (central) - no sepals, no petals, 3 fused carpels with superior ovary. Multiple male flowers and 1 female flower grouped in cup-like involucre surrounded by colorful bracts

Features
  • Named after Euphorbus, physician to King Juba II of Mauretania (1st century BC). 'Milii' honors Baron Milius, French governor who introduced plant to France in 1821. 'Crown of Thorns' from Christian legend that this plant formed Christ's crown (though unlikely as plant is Madagascar native). One of 2,000+ Euphorbia species
  • True flowers tiny and inconspicuous (cyathia). Showy parts are colorful bracts (modified leaves) 0.5-1 inch across in pairs. Bract colors include red, pink, salmon, yellow, white, orange, and bicolors. Blooms appear at stem tips nearly year-round. Stems covered with sharp spines 0.5-1 inch long
  • Succulent shrub with thick, gray-brown stems storing water. Semi-deciduous, may drop leaves in stress or dormancy. Blooms continuously in warm conditions, reduced in cool weather. Slow-growing. Unique flower structure (cyathium) typical of Euphorbia family—tiny flowers surrounded by colorful bracts
  • Grows 2-6 feet (60-180 cm) tall, typically 2-3 feet in containers. Spread of 1.5-3 feet. Lifespan of many years (20-30+). Propagated from stem cuttings (allow to callus before planting, roots in 3-4 weeks). Let milky sap dry before handling
  • Native to Madagascar, particularly arid regions. Found on rocky slopes and dry forests. Now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Popular in Mediterranean climates, southern United States, and as houseplant globally
  • Requires full sun (6-8 hours) for best blooming. Needs excellent drainage—use cactus/succulent mix. Drought tolerant; water when soil dries out. Reduce water in winter. Tolerates heat, salt spray. Frost tender (bring indoors below 50°F/10°C). Thrives on neglect
  • Popular houseplant and xeriscape plant. All parts toxic—milky sap contains irritating latex causing skin/eye irritation, vomiting if ingested. Wear gloves when handling. Sap can cause temporary blindness if contacts eyes. Keep away from children and pets. Deer resistant. Attracts hummingbirds. Low maintenance, blooms with minimal care

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificEuphorbia Mili
English (Alternate)Crown of thorns, Christ's thorn, Christ plant, African Milk Tree, Snow-on-the-Mountain, Medusa's Head, Mexican Fire Plant, Scarlet Plume
Hindiदुद्धी (Dudhi), दुधिया (Dudhiya), बड़ी दुद्धी (Bari Dudhi), दूध घास (Dudh Ghas)
Tamilகள்ளி (kalli), ஐங்கோணக் கள்ளி (Ainkona kalli), கிறிஸ்து முள் (kristu mull), அம்மான்பச்சரிசி (amman pacharisai)
Teluguచెముడు (Chemudu), కడజముడు (Kadajamudu), రెడ్డివారి నానబాలు (Reddivari Nannabalu), అమ్మం పచ్చారిసి (Ammam Paccharisi)
Malayalamതിരുക്കള്ളി (Tirukkalli), പാസം (Pasam), കള്ളിച്ചെടി (Kallicheḍi)
Kannadaಎಲೆಕಳ್ಳಿ (Elekalli), ಭೇದಿಸೊಪ್ಪು (Bhedisoppu), ಚಮ್ದಕಲ (Chamdakala)
Sanskritदुग्धिका (Dugdhika), क्षीर (Kshira), नागरी (Nagari), नागार्जुन (Nagarjun), लघु दुग्धिका (Laghu dudhika), रक्तबिंदुच्छाद (Raktavindachada)
Bengaliদুধী (Dudhi), বড় দুধিয়া (Bara Dudhia), মনসা সিজ (Manasa Sij)
Frencheuphorbe
RussianМолочай (Molochay), Молочай зеленая плюща (Molochay zelenaya plyushcha)
Spanisheuforbio, lechetrezna
GermanWolfsmilch

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.