Wikimedia Commons
Euphorbiaceae
Devil's Backbone Flower
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Persistence and unconventionality.
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus
- Euphorbia
- Native to
- Tropical Americas, Caribbean
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- Succulent shrub
- Height
- 0.6-2.4 meters
- Sunlight
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, sandy
- Water
- Low to moderate
- Hardiness
- 9-11
- Lifespan
- Perennial
Did you know
- Devil's backbone gets its name from its zigzag stems that change direction at each leaf node.
- The plant was formerly classified as Pedilanthus tithymaloides and is still sold under that name.
- Its slipper-shaped flowers are actually modified leaves called bracts surrounding tiny true flowers.
- The milky latex sap is toxic and was traditionally used as a fish poison in the Caribbean.
- In folk medicine traditions, it has been used to treat everything from toothaches to warts.
Color meanings
0
Persistence
1
Protection
2
Uniqueness