A popular flower believed to be the same plant that was wrapped around Jesus' head prior to his crucifixion is being stolen from backyards in 'Ewa Beach.

In March, 16 Euphorbia Millii plants, sometimes referred to as the "Chinese luck" flower, the "crown of thorns" and the "Christ's plant," which retail for between $50 and $75 each, were stolen, police said.

In the most recent case, a dozen of the plants valued at about $600 were stolen from an 'Ewa Beach home.

Police have opened three third-degree-theft investigations in connection with the flowers' disappearance. The flowers may be being shipped to private collectors, unsuspecting landscape architects or sold at the flea market, officials said.

The plant is not indigenous to Hawai'i. It is native to Madagascar and often imported from Thailand, China and Japan.

The flowers bloom into eight-petal clusters and have a five-part calyx and sometimes corolla, with numerous stamens, according to the International Euphorbia Society. The stems are covered in thick, sharp spikes, and the sap is a toxic.

The plant is prized in Asia, and hybrid versions retail for between $300 and $500 in the Philippines and Thailand.

"The thefts would have to be planned because the plants are bulky, heavy and full of thorns," said Richard Criley, a horticulturist at the University of Hawai'i. "Since the hybrids originated elsewhere (Thailand, Philippines), they were pricey when they came into Hawai'i. Large plants — with age — they'd be worth even more.

"Plant thefts (and agricultural equipment and pesticides) have been the work of druggies who hope to resell the plants to finance their habits. It is less likely that the thefts occur to be resold to private collectors, but might be sold to unsuspecting landscapers for big developments, or perhaps private home landscapes, but this can't be ruled out. Bonsai hobbyists face a similar theft threat as their plants gain value with age."

The Chinese, who revere the number eight as lucky, regard the plant as a good-luck charm.

Chris Moore, owner of Buried Treasure, a Florida-based e-commerce plant retailer, said he shipped 11,000 Euphorbia Millii plants to Hawai'i last year and that the plants are extremely popular with certain Asian cultures that believe the eight-petal clusters are good luck.

The flowers have thorn-covered stalks, and Christians and others fascinated by the crucifixion of Christ believe it was a Euphorbia Millii that was wrapped around Jesus' head when he was crucified, hence the nickname "crown of thorns."

"You have a double-whammy," said Moore. "The Chinese love the lucky number eight and the Catholic, Spanish persuasion and those fascinated with the crucifixion love them. They are insanely popular."

There are more than 2,000 species of Euphorbias in the world.

They range from annual weeds to trees, and all have latex and a unique flower structure. The Euphorbias are named after a Greek surgeon called Euphorbus. He was the physician of Juba II, who was the Roman king of a North African kingdom, and is supposed to have used their milky latex as an ingredient for his potions, according to the IES.

Many believe the thorny plant was placed atop Jesus' head just before he was mounted on the cross.

Moore estimates that almost 90 percent of those ordering the plant from Hawai'i mention its religious significance or refer to it as the "crown of thorns."

"The original species is native to Madagascar and so it could have been brought into the Holy Lands back in the time of Christ and used in the crucifixion," said UH's Criley. "Besides 'crown of thorns,' another common name is 'Christ's plant' — relevant this Easter season."

The plant does not play a central role in any religious faith, but is fancied by many who put stock in religious artifacts.

Patrick Downes, spokesman for the Diocese of Honolulu, said artifact worship flourished in the Middle Ages and that today people still revere items believed to hold religious significance.

But that does not always mean the story behind the object is true.

"If you gathered all the 'original' pieces of the cross (Jesus was crucified on), you could build a mansion," he said.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.