Crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii) is a tough-as-nails, mean SOB of a succulent from Madagascar that is commonly grown as a houseplant here in North America. Those thorns will get you and make you curse like a sailor.
I love it!
I spotted this one in Barbados growing along the front fence in front of a small home. The plant was the size of a small bush and bursting with tiny bright red blooms. Oh to have a crown of thorns flanking my front garden. That should keep the Friday night bar hoppers looking for an outdoor urinal out of the garden.
I’ve come to associate the plant with the Arcade Fire song, Crown of Love.
“In my heart, there’s flowers growing.”
And inversely, these are the flowers I always imagine growing in the singer’s heart.
One of my favorite plants. Mine happily lives outside part of the year –and certainly behaves like a surly bouncer, guarding whatever area it inhabits.
“…like a surly bouncer, guarding whatever area it inhabits.”
Excellent description.
My mother-in-law has one in her dining room that is almost as tall as I am! (5’8″) it’s absolutely beautiful and she’s had it for years!