Crown of Thorns

Photographed in the gardens at Swami's in Encinitas, Ca. (the Self Realization Fellowship retreat)

The beautiful Crown of Thorns plant is a woody, spiny, climbing succulent shrub with shoots reaching a height of 6 feet. Leaves are found primarily on young growth,and the plant may defoliate completely if put under moisture or temperature stress. This plant flowers nearly all year, and especially in the winter. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, but the brightly colored modified leaves (bracts) found just beneath the flowers are quite attractive.