全株密生針狀硬刺，是麒麟花給人最大印象，以前常種植成籬笆，有很好的阻隔防護效果。隨著品種不同，葉片及花朵的尺寸有很大的差異，臺灣在近幾年也培育出無刺品種，讓喜歡它的人不用再擔心會被刺到。麒麟花能全年開花，圓形苞片豔紅喜氣，還有白、黃、粉紅甚至多色的品種。枝條傷口會流出白色乳汁，不小心沾染皮膚可能會有刺激性。

The whole plant is densely covered with needle-like hard spines, which is the biggest impression of Christ plant. With a good barrier and protection effect, it was often planted as a hedge in the old time. There are different varieties and the size of leaves and flowers varies greatly. In recent years, Taiwan has also cultivated spineless varieties, so that people do not have to worry about being stabbed. Christ plant can bloom all year round, the round bracts are bright red and festive, and there are also white, yellow, pink and even variegated varieties. The branches will secrete white milk from the wound, which may irritate the skin if touched accidentally.

大戟屬多肉植物，原產於馬達加斯加島。樹高50~100cm，全株具有白色乳汁。莖直立或斜生，圓柱狀四稜形，密生針狀硬刺；黑褐色刺長2~2.5cm。互生倒卵形葉，長5~15cm，寬2~5cm，依品種不同葉片尺寸差距大。大戟花序呈聚繖花序排列，苞片紅色，有白色、黃色、粉紅等品種，花徑1.5~5cm。開花期全年。

A Euphorbia succulent, native to Madagascar. It’s 50 - 100 cm high and secretes white latex. Stem upright or oblique, columnar-tetragonal in shape. Covered by dense needle-shaped hard spines, dark brown and 2 - 2.5 cm long. Alternate obovate leaves are 5 to 15 cm long and 2 to 5 cm wide; leaf size varies greatly depending on the species. Cyathium arranged in cymes. There are cultivars with bracts in red, white, yellow, or pink color etc. Flower diameter 1.5 – 5 cm and bloom year-round.

栽培：全日照通風環境下可生長良好，日照充足時可促進開花。為了防止爛根等情形，需採用排水透氣的介質，介質肥沃可以促進生長。高溫期三個月施用一次長效性肥料。部份品種的枝條較軟，必要時可以立支柱支撐。以扦插法繁殖為主。

It grows well under the full sun and ventilation environment; sufficient sunlight can promote flowering. Use draining and breathable soil to avoid root rotting and fertilized soil can promote the growth. Apply long-active fertilizer every 3 months during warm seasons. Some species with softer branches can be supported by standing pillars if necessary. Mainly cutting propagation.

重要的觀花多肉植物，通常以盆花進行生產販售，也可露地栽培。莖硬挺刺粗壯的大麒麟花，適合列植作為綠籬，有良好的阻隔效果。耐鹽分，濱海地區也可以生長良好。

An important ornamental floral succulent, usually produced and sold as potted flowers. It can also be cultivated in the open field. The plant produces stiff and sturdy stems and is suitable for row planting as a hedge providing a good barrier effect. The salt-tolerant plant thrives in coastal areas.