Spikey

This plant is known as a Crown of Thorns, botanic name of Euphorbia milii (if anyone one is wondering, any botanical names that end with a double 'i' are pronounced "ee-eye". So in this case it would be "mill-ee-eye"). It is a type of succulent with flowers that range from reds, pinks, greens and yellows. This is the most vicious plant we grow at work, in my opinion anyway. As Im am the one with gloves on my hip all the time, its usually me who is equipped to weed them, and I still get scratched to pieces. However its not just the thorns that make it vicious, it contains a sticky, white sap which is poisonous. So always wash your hands thoroughly when handling this plant.

Funny story though. I used to work at a retirement village many years ago and some of the old ladies use to grow this in pots. May, one of the ladies, told me about her little Crown of Thorns she had growing out the front of her villa. She explained it was a plant famous in Christianity as it was the same plant that was used to make the Crown of Thorns around Christ's head during his crucifixion. Im not really a religious person, but it was interesting to hear her story. She then asked me "A nice young girl like you, do you go to church?"
"No. My family isnt very religious. I remember going once when I was young and my steps sister had some ceremony. She wore a white dress with the other girls and had to stand up the front. I cant remember what is was called. I think she went to be Condemned"
May burst out laughing and replied "No dear, you get Confirmed in Church, not condemned".
Oops.