Euphorbia milii is also known as the crown of thorns or Christ thorn. The common name refers to the thorny crown Jesus was forced to wear during his crucifixion, with the red bracts of the flowers representing his blood. It is a very pretty succulent plant with small and colorful flowers that can bloom almost year-round. The white milky sap is poisonous and can cause skin and eye irritation.
虎刺梅也被稱為荊棘冠冕或基督荊棘。俗名是指耶穌在被釘十字架期間被迫戴上的荊棘冠冕，花朵的紅色苞片代表他的血液。它是一種非常漂亮的多肉植物，花朵小而多彩，幾乎可以全年開花。白色乳狀汁液有毒，可引起皮膚和眼睛疼痛。
Photo Date: 2022.03.15 Location: LA Arboretum
Notes 筆記
- Euphorbia milii is also known as the crown of thorns, Christ plant, or Christ thorn. The common name is due to the thorns and deep red bracts referring to the crown thorn Jesus had to wear during his crucifixion and his blood.
- The species name commemorates Baron Milius, once Governor of Réunion, who introduced the species to France in 1821.
- It is a woody succulent subshrub or shrub with densely spiny stems helping to scramble over other plants.
- The flowers are small, subtended by a pair of conspicuous petal-like bracts, variably red, pink or white.
- The sap is moderately poisonous, and causes irritation on contact with skin or eyes. If ingested, it causes severe stomach pain, irritation of the throat and mouth, and vomiting.
- The plant itself has proven to be an effective molluscicide and a natural alternative to pest control. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the usage of Euphorbia milii in aiding snail control. Especially in endemic countries. Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease from freshwater parasites, carried by snails.
- 虎刺梅也被稱為荊棘冠冕、基督花或基督荊棘(麒麟花、鐵海棠、萬年刺)。俗名是由於荊棘和深紅色的苞片指的是耶穌在被釘十字架流血佩戴的王冠荊棘而來。
- 它的名稱是為了紀念曾任留尼汪總督的米利厄斯男爵，它於 1821 年將該物種引入法國。
- 它是一種木質多汁的亞灌木或灌木，具有密集的多刺莖，有助於爬過其他植物。
- 花很小，被一對顯眼的花瓣狀苞片所包圍，有紅色、粉紅色或白色。
- 汁液是中度毒性，與皮膚或眼睛接觸會引起疼痛。如果攝入，它會導致嚴重的胃痛、喉嚨和口腔發炎以及嘔吐。
- 它已被證明是一種有效的軟體動物殺滅劑和害蟲防治的天然替代品。世界衛生組織 (WHO) 建議使用大戟屬植物來輔助控制蝸牛。特別是在流行國家，血吸蟲病是一種由蝸牛傳播的淡水寄生蟲傳染病。
References 參考資料
- Wikipedia: Euphorbia milii
- 維基百科: 虎刺梅
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