Euphorbia tithymaloides
Devil's Backbone, Japanese Poinsettia
Other regional names: Lady’s Slipper +3 more
- Lady’s Slipper
- Milkbush
- Redbird Cactus
- Redbird Flower
Also known as: Euphorbia caniculata Lodd., 1825 +3 more
- Euphorbia caniculata Lodd., 1825
- Pedilanthus pringlei Rob.
- Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L.) Poit.
- Tithymalus tithymaloides (L.) Croizat
Botanical Data
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Botanical Family: Euphorbiaceae
- WCVP Morphological Data: Recorded natively as a shrub.
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Euphorbia tithymaloides (commonly known as Devil's-Backbone or Japanese-poinsettia) is a shrub within the Euphorbiaceae family. It originates in Tropical Asia, North America, and South America. In its natural range, this species typically occurs in seasonally dry tropical conditions. There are naturally occurring subspecies of this species, which are linked below.
Macro Climate
Tropical
Plant Type
Shrub
Native Range
Continents (WGSRPD)
ASIA-TROPICAL, NORTHERN AMERICA, SOUTHERN AMERICA
Regions (WGSRPD)
Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Indian Subcontinent, Mexico, Northern South America, Southeastern U.S.A., Western South America
Botanical Countries (WGSRPD L3)
Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil Southeast, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Florida, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, Surinam, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.
Introduced Range
Plants flagged as 'Introduced' have been transported outside their native historical range by human activity. While many are common ornamentals, some may become naturalized or invasive in local environments. Local ecological guidelines require verification prior to planting.
Botanical Countries (Non-Native)
Andaman Is., Caroline Is., Cayman Is., Chad, Chagos Archipelago, Comoros, French Guiana, Gambia, The, Gilbert Is., Hawaii, Malawi, Marianas, Marshall Is., Mozambique, Vanuatu, Wake I.
Subspecies, Varieties & Forms