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Euphorbia tithymaloides L.
| Family Name: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Tithymalus tithymaloides, Pedilanthus tithymaloides |
| Common Name: | 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 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 0.4 m to 0.7 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | USA (Florida), Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Tropical South America |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Succulent perennial with erect growth form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Smooth, glossy leaves are ovate with entire to slightly wavy leaf margins. They are alternately arranged with one leaf per point along the stem on alternating sides. |
| Stems | Round, green stem has a zigzag shape. |
| Flowers | Red, bird-shaped flowers occur in a cluster at the stem tips. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Others: All parts of plant used medically to treat traumatic injuries and fractures. Added to psychedelic brews in Peru. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Stems, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, General, Suitable for Rooftops |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap, Toxic Upon Ingestion |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Associated with: Hummingbirds, Vertebrates (Bird)) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Shallow Media, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Aboveground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
| Flowering Period | Rarely |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1013 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2307 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
