Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pedilanthus tithymaloides
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh tith-ee-mal-OY-deez
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- tithymaloides
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical America
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Description:
- Red flowers clustered at the ends of the branches.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves alternate, simple, pointed, green or white-edged.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Round
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Irritation of the mouth and throat, vomiting and diarrhea when ingested; skin irritation, rash, and blistering and eye irritation upon contact.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Sap/Juice