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Flora, Flora & Fauna In Jaipur

Thor Danda – Euphorbia Caducifolia | Not A Cactus but Leafless Milk Hedge of Aravalli Hills

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.

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My first encounter with Euphorbia Caducifolia or leafless Milk Hedge during trekking in Jaipur

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.

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Euphorbia Caducifolia during monsoon season

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. 

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Euphorbia Caducifolia is mistaken as a Cactus variety

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.

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Euphorbia Caducifolia can grow even in difficult and rocky terrain.

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.

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Beautiful pink-red flowers of Euphorbia Caducifolia/ Danda Thor

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.

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Euphorbia Caducifolia thriving in Jhalana Forest which now famous for the Panther Safari in Jaipur.
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Lifeless Milk Hedge during winters in Aravali hills

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.

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Thar desert and Aravali hills are home to Euphorbia Caducifolia

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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86 thoughts on “Thor Danda – Euphorbia Caducifolia | Not A Cactus but Leafless Milk Hedge of Aravalli Hills”

    1. There are so many unique plants and trees around us. We hardly known about few of these. I mistook this as a cacti until recently. I thought of sharing because I’m sure none of us know much about this plant. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. 😃

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    1. Cornelia, There are many similar plants from this family. there is an entire site devoted to its variant. I also chanced upon it today. Even Agave which is found in California is also from this family. 🙂

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    1. Alok, Thanks for offering your point of view. For nature lovers it is but natural to know a bit more about elements of nature. It is slowly that I have started paying more attention to trees and plants. rust me, it is interesting! BTW, many of these pictures were not clicked for this post. When I clicked some of those pictures, I had no idea about its name.

      For that question, will send you details, very soon! 🙂

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  9. Although I’m pretty certain that I’ve never seen that plant in the UK, Arv, I new there was something about the name Euphorbia I’d heard before, somewhere in the distant past. So I did a quick check to find there are so many species including Poinsettia which are common in the UK at Christmas time. You have to make sure that you don’t let pets or children touch the sap as it can be poisonous or an irritant just like your Leafless Milk Hedge

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    1. I have heard this name but it is not very popular here in India…may be because it is not native to this region. The entire genus of Euphorbia consists of 2000 variety…so it is huge and I’m sure there’s one for every region. Even Agave (native to N America) is also from this family! I’m sure some people will start thinking about Tequila after hearing this name! 😉
      Thanks for your input on Euphorbia, Mike!

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    1. Thanks, Parul. I have been seeing this plant for three years but only recently I found out its name. I would have loved to post it for your Thursdaytreelove but I had this deadline for blog chatter.

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  13. I’m not sure if I have seen this form of Cactus before. It looks really beautiful though! The best part of trekking is the natural beauty of the place. Great shots from the top!

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  14. At first even I thought it was from the cacti family …… till I read your post. I really found it pretty. In fact even the cacti family have beautiful blooms.

    Thor Danda …… sounds like a superhero’s super weapon 😀

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    1. Ha ha! Yes it does sound funny.. which is what I have mentioned in my opening paragraph.
      Nature has​ so many beautiful creations. Let’s discover more of these and spread the awareness!

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  18. I love nature and I enjoy growing succulents (easy to maintain with medicinal properties such as aloe). Continue doing your works and showing how beautiful this Earth that we live on is. Much respect for you and your journeys.

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    1. Thank you for kind words of appreciation. I feel we know very little about the world around us. Nature is truly remarkable and we should observe and learn from this strong force that is present around us. What kind of succulents are in your region? looks like you have some knowledge about plants 🙂

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  19. Actually I remember this from Childhood because my Mom was growing it in a pot! Yes. I remember it because of its beautiful flowers and the milky sap. I don’t remember if the sap used to itch or not, but my Mom had is trucked us kids to strictly stay away from it. But then she used to say that about every plant at home because she loved her plants too much 😀

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      1. Totally. Always saw her puttering around with pots. Even my MIL is a huge gardening enthusiast. So I learnt from her too. If I could I’d put a plant in every corner of the house but eh… They are very snooty buggers

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    1. I haven’t been to Hampi but I’m making a mental imagery of how it will look like with the surroundings. Have you captured it? Thanks for the information. 😃

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      1. Hey Thank you

        I did capture it in bloom, and I m thankfull to you for the info about the Leafless Milk hedge, as I wasa searching for the plant species…not sure how to share the pic though..:P

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