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Euphorbia tithymaloides
Also called Redbird Flower, Japanese Poinsettia, Milkbush, Redbird Cactus, Slipperplant, Lady’s Slipper, Slipper Flower
In Singapore: Zigzag Plant, Devil's Backbone, Redbird Cactus, Redbird Flower, Jacob's Ladder, Milkbush, Slipper Flower, Slipperplant, Caribbean Slipper Spurge, 红雀珊瑚, 银龙木, Small's Redbird Flower, Dwarf Zigzag Plant, Dwarf Devil's Backbone, 蜈蚣珊瑚, Variegated Zigzag Plant, Variegated Devil's Backbone, 斑叶红雀珊瑚 (Grown in Singapore)
Devil's Backbone is a zigzag-stemmed succulent shrub from tropical North and Central America, grown as a garden border or houseplant. Its key to success is sandy, well-drained soil and bright light, with its toxic milky sap handled with care.
Euphorbia tithymaloides is a perennial succulent spurge native to the tropical and subtropical areas of North America and Central America. An erect shrub, the plant is also known by the scientific name Pedilanthus tithymaloides. However, the genus Pedilanthus has been subsumed into the genus Euphorbia, and is more correctly known by its new name (Euphorbia tithymaloides).
Euphorbia tithymaloides was introduced as a garden plant prior to 1688. The first record of it growing in a garden was in Amsterdam. It is primarily used as an outdoor garden border plant, but certain varieties do well indoors. Because of the plant's toxicity, gardeners are cautioned to wear goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.
Propagation may be by seed or cutting. Cuttings should be made above a joint, be 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) long, and planted in sandy, nutrient-rich soil and allowed to root before planting. Cuttings should be made in March – April or June – July, and from the middle or top of the main stem. Hummingbirds are attracted to the plant's flowers. Cabbage worms are particularly fond of the plant's leaves.
The roots, stems, and leaves of the plant are known to be toxic. These parts of the plant contain euphorbol (a complex terpene) and other diterpene esters. These are also known carcinogens. The plant's leaves and stems also contain beta-sitosterol, cycloartenone, octacosanol, and oxime, all of which have known medicinal as well as toxic properties.
Even minor amounts (a few drops) of the juice of the Euphorbia tithymaloides root can irritate mucosal membranes. When ingested, the irritation of the mucosal membranes of the stomach and intestines will cause nausea and vomiting. Topical application causes skin irritation, inflammation, and even blisters. If introduced topically to the eye, severe pain, keratoconjunctivitis, and reduced visual acuity occur. Ingesting even a few seeds can cause violent and persistent vomiting and extreme diarrhea.
Abd Al Kuri Euphorbia · Desert Candle · Greek Spiny Spurge · Euphorbia actinoclada · Miniature Saguaro · Pincushion Euphorbia · Euphorbia alcicornis · Euphorbia alfredii · Euphorbia ambarivatoensis · Euphorbia ambovombensis · African candelabra · Euphorbia ampliphylla
[Contains information from Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Heritage Trees from data.gov.sg (National Parks Board), made available under the terms of the Singapore Open Data Licence version 1.0]
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Euphorbia tithymaloides by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
