Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Euphorbia tithymaloides subsp. smallii
- Pedilanthus tithymaloides
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh tith-ee-mal-OY-deez
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
A succulent shrub with milky juice; stems green, often zig-zag; leaves alternate, simple, pointed, green or white-edged; flowers red and clustered at the ends of branches; fruit a capsule
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Nana'
black and green foliage - 'Variegata'
glossy, oval, green leaves with white edges on a zig zag stems
- 'Nana'
- 'Nana', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Nana'
black and green foliage - 'Variegata'
glossy, oval, green leaves with white edges on a zig zag stems
- 'Nana'
- 'Nana', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- tithymaloides
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Florida to Tropical Americas and Mexico
- Distribution:
- Chad, French Guiana, Hawaii, Malawi, Marshall Island, Mozambique, and Wake Island
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Description:
- A two-lipped red bract surrounds a tiny red flower. The flowers cluster at the ends of the branches. Blooming occurs in late spring or early summer. The plant rarely flowers indoors.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, simple, pointed, and medium green and sometimes with white edging. They are ovate to elliptical and measure up to 3 inches long.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- Stems are in a zigzag pattern and contain poisonous milky sap.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Sap/Juice
