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Glite Dictionary
Christ plant

Christ plant

9.8
A spiny shrub from Madagascar with long stems and red flower-like parts often grown in gardens
  • noun
translation icon : planta de Cristo
  • Its vivid red bracts make the Christ plant a striking addition to any greenhouse.

Examples

  • The Christ plant is popular in gardens for its resilience to dry conditions.

  • She pruned the branches of her Christ plant to encourage more blooms.

  • The Christ plant is known for its striking red bracts.

  • Many gardeners love the Christ plant for its unique appearance.

  • Its vivid red bracts make the Christ plant a striking addition to any greenhouse.

  • The Christ plant is popular in gardens for its resilience to dry conditions.

  • She pruned the branches of her Christ plant to encourage more blooms.

Synonyms

Euphorbia milii
vsChrist plant
  • Specialized
9.9

A spiny bush from Madagascar with woody stems and bright red flowers used as a decorative plant

is used as a general ornamental term rather than the scientific species name
Christ thorn
vsChrist plant
9.9

A spiny shrub from Madagascar grown as a houseplant with small flowers and bright red petals

is grown more generally as an ornamental for display rather than only indoors
crown of thorns
vsChrist plant
8.8

A spiny plant with long stems and bright red flowers

is framed as a cultivated ornamental shrub rather than a botanical classification

Surface Forms

Christ plant singular
Christ plants plural

Morphology

Christ + plant

The compound clearly indicates a plant associated with or named for 'Christ', so a learner who knows both words would infer it refers to a kind of plant. However, the specific botanical sense (a spiny Madagascar shrub with scarlet bracts) is not derivable from the constituents, so the relation is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Christ plant got its name because its many sharp thorns and bright red flowers reminded people of a 'crown of thorns' linked to Christ, one popular story says. That's why the plant's look explains the name.