Euphorbia Flowers
Name : Euphorbia Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Euphorbia, (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Euphorbia Description
Euphorbia is a genus comprising of about 2160 plants belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. Euphorbia is primarily found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and the Americas, but also exists in temperate zones worldwide. Succulent species of Euphorbia originate mostly from Africa, the Americas and Madagascar. There exists a wide range of insular species found on the Hawaiian Islands where these plants are known as "akoko”.
Common names for Euphorbia include Crown of Thorns, Christ Plant, Christ Thorn, Christ Crown, Euphorbias, and Spurges.
Euphorbias are annual or perennial herbs, woody shrubs or trees with a poisonous, milky sap or latex. Euphorbia roots are fine or thick and fleshy or tuberous depending upon the variety. Taller varieties of Euphorbia grow to a height of about 4-5 feet and a spread of 2.5 feet, though dwarf hybrids are less than 1.5 feet tall. The stem is spiny, strong, and upright and heavily branched, with 1 inch long straight thorns.
Euphorbia have large and brightly colored bracts (modified leaves) that come in eye-catching shades of red, white, pink, yellow, orange or multi-colored with the actual flower in the center. Euphorbia flowers are called cyathia and are small and inconspicuous and surrounded by five nectar glands that are sometimes beautifully colored in contrast to the striking bracts. Bees and ants are attracted to these nectar producing Euphorbia flowers.
Euphorbias have fleshy evergreen leaves and short fibrous roots and grow best in full sun and very well draining soil. Euphorbias propagate mostly by stem or tip cuttings, from seed, grafting, air-layering, pups and leaves. Modern varieties of Euphorbias have been developed that grow successfully among flowers becoming an asset in sustainable gardens because of its drought tolerant characteristics. They can be mixed with ornamental grasses, perennials, or bulbs that tolerate similar growing conditions.
Euphorbia is an excellent choice as a houseplant or in a mixed planter. Its striking bracts make it an ideal choice as an accent plant for patio or outdoor garden. Euphorbia is also used extensively as a landscape plant and can also be used for borders and fences to ward off undesirable visitors. Moreover, Euphorbia is drought and salt tolerant, thus ideal to be planted along coastal areas.
Euphorbia Meaning
The striking Euphorbia symbolizes “Persistence” since it continues to grow in extreme weather conditions and flowers all year round, no matter how bad the weather may be.
The variety Poysean or E. milli is extremely popular in Thai homes as a symbol of Good Fortune.
Euphorbia Mythology
Euphorbia derives the common name "spurge" from the Middle English/Old French word “spurge” which means "to purge". This is due to the use of the plant's sap as a natural purgative; whereas, the botanical name Euphorbia is derived from Euphorbus, the Greek physician of King Juba II of Numidia (52-50 BC - 23 AD). It is believed that Euphorbus used a certain plant, possibly Resin Spurge (E. resinifera), as a herbal remedy when the king suffered from a swollen belly hence Carolus Linnaeus assigned the name Euphorbia to the entire genus in the physician's honor. The species Euphorbia regisjubae or King Juba's Euphorbia was named in recognition of the king's contributions to natural history and his role in bringing the genus to notice.
The common names Crown of Thorns, Christ Crown, Christ Thorn refer to the legend that the crown of thorns that was worn by the Christ at the time of his crucifixion was made from stems of Euphorbia milii.
The Chinese immigrants in Thailand named Euphorbia milii as “Poysean” since the old Euphorbia hybrids usually have eight flowers in each cluster, referring to the eight saints of Chinese mythology, each one representing a different force: Health, Bravery, Riches, Beauty, Art, Intelligence, Poetry and The Ability to Overcome Evil. Thus, Poysean or E. milli is extremely popular in Thai homes as a symbol of good fortune.
