What is Thor Danda? Thor Danda is a Leafless Milk Hedge or Leafless Euphorbia. Also, called simply Thor, by many. You’ve probably walked past Thor Danda on an Aravalli trail and taken it for a cactus. It isn’t one. Euphorbia caducifolia is a native succulent of Rajasthan, and here’s how to tell the difference.
Most people consider it a cactus. When I started searching for more information about this plant I found that it is succulent from a plant family called Euphorbiaceae.
What is Euphorbia Caducifolia (Thor Danda)?
Euphorbia is a genus of flowering plants in the Euphorbiaceae family containing around 2,000 species. It is supposed to be one of the most diverse groups of flowering plants on the planet. Thor plant’s botanical is Euphorbia Caducifolia. I have run into this plant many times while trekking in Jaipur.
Common Names – Leafless Milk Hedge, Leafless Euphorbia and Danda Thor
Euphorbia Caducifolia is known by many local names like Thor/ Thhor/ Danda-Thor. It is also known as leafless Milk Hedge as well as Leafless Euphorbia.
Is Thor Danda or Euphorbia Caducifolia a catus?
Thor Danda is not a cactus. Euphorbia is also called Spurge and produces white latex-like substance when cut. They are found in temperate zones worldwide often resembling the cacti family. Most Cacti or Cactus does not produce a white milky substance.
Where does Danda Thor grow?
The Aravali Hilld and Thar
Danda Thor is a tall multi-stem plant occurring in Thar desert as well as hilly tracts across Aravali hills. This plant covers complete hillock often growing to a humongous size.They appear in areas that undergo a dry season followed by monsoon rains.
Where I have spotted it – Jhalana Forest and Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary
I have seen Danda Thor in Jhalana Forest, Jaipur and Ranthambore Forest near Sawai Madhopur. Here is a picture of Thor Danda from Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan.
Ehat makes Danda Thor or Euphorbia Caducifolia Special?
Role in local ecology
Leafless Milk Hedge is an important part of local ecology often providing shelter for the small reptiles
The Pink red Flowers
It produces a small red-pink flower. It looks beautiful with these flowers in full bloom. Here is a picture of pink-red flowers.
Thriving in dry-rocky terrain
The plant has the ability to adapt itself to local conditions, therefore, it is quite hardy and resistant.One should avoid coming in contact with the white milky substance as it can be an irritant for the skin and eyes. If you do come in contact with its latex-like white substance, wash immediately.
Uses and Medicinal Claims
Thor or leafless Milk Hedge is increasingly put in use for ornamental or beautification purposes – landscaping in urban areas. But in my opinion, they are best suited in their natural habitat –Aravali hills or Thar desert.
The plant is supposed to have medicinal uses too. Recent claims suggest its use in generating bio-fuel and as a cure for leukemia disease. (Kindly check with your doctor before using as a cure for leukemia)
Nature is beautiful and has so many unique creations. All species have a well-defined purpose. Even though I have seen it many times over the last few years, it was only recently I stumbled upon its name leafless Milk Hedge. Like others, I also assumed this as one of the cacti variants. Similar to Anogeissus Pendula or Dhok tree, this is a resident plant of Aravali Hills. I wrote about Anogeissus Pendula almost two years ago, I’m sure most of the readers must have missed reading this post. Have you ever seen Euphorbia caducifolia.?
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Love the shots! The buds look like miniature roses.
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I’m glad you can see the beauty of this plant. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Susie 😃
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Hi,
I want to plant it in my garden. Could you tell me where I can buy this plant?
Pallab Ghosh
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Check with your nearest nursery. May be they can source it.
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Wow, what a very pretty plant …some lovely images 🙂
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Thanks, Carol. Have you ever seen it in your part of the world?
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No, I haven’t, Arv apparently, they do grow here but I haven’t come across one yet 🙂
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OK. 😃
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Nice write up. Enjoyed the wonderful photos.
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Great 🙂
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Is Euphorbia Royleana different from this? Habitat for Euphorbia royleana is the Himalaya.
I am searching for it’s local name.
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I think they are different although from the outset they look similar and must be related. Sorry, but I have no clue about its local name.
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In Pakistan it is known as Thor
In Islam and in Holy Book Quran It is cursed plant which will be the food in hell.
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Now, this is something new for me. I wonder why it is so?
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Arv, I have seen these Leafless Milk Hedge plants in my vicinity and if I am not wrong it was in my aunt’s garden which I used to call cactus in my childhood. The flowers are pretty and they look strangely beautiful on these leafless thorny branches.
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I’m glad you have seen Thor Danda. I saw these flowers in the wild. Yet to come across any in cultivated spaces. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Sarmistha. 🙂
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I know this is not a typical garden plant or something of that sort but I don’t know how and for what intension they got the plant, to me as a child it was just another cactus along with the other cacti.
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Cool 🙂
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Never knew about this beautiful plant I have seen this in my rocky village area. Or maybe this is a cousin to those plants. Informative one.
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I really never heard about this plant …Thanks for sharing this
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Succulents have some strange beauty to them, I can never spot what it is, but those colours, the texture, everything
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I agree. Have you seen them in wild?
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nope, just in pictures and normal cactuses in gardens
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Ok.
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Arv, I brought back a cutting from India about 18 years ago. It took a long time for it to bloom, but now it goes off every year. What type of low temperatures can it tolerate? We do freeze in Texas.
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It is found in semi arid region here. I don’t think it can survive freesing conditions.
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