Question
I'll sent jpeg straight off the scanner. . . can't find identy of plant - upright "trunk" is covered all around with groupings of 3 spikes - a single, slender oleander-type leaf grows from between each bottom 2 of 3 thorns.  Leaves drop off over time?  bottom half of this "trunk" has no leaves, but plant was near dead from thirst when I got it.  Thanks.

Answer
Hello Michele,

Have you ever seen a milk sap come out of the plant or by tearing the leaves? How about any flowers?

To me it looks like a member of the "crown of thorns" or Euphorbia family.

If you think I'm missing the mark, please write back and I will continue to work on this ID.

Angie