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Euphorbia tithymaloides subsp. smallii 'Nanus'
| Family Name: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Pedilanthus tithymaloides subsp. smallii 'Nana', Pedilanthus tithymaloides subsp. smallii 'nana compacta’ |
| Common Name: | Small's Redbird Flower, Jacob's Ladder, Dwarf Zigzag Plant, Dwarf Devil's Backbone, 蜈蚣珊瑚 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Dwarf |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Clump-forming, succulent shrub or subshrub with a compact, erect growth form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Light green leaves are held perpendicular in 2 files along either side of the stem. Elongated, elliptic leaves are slightly folded upwards along the midvein, forming a boat-like shape. |
| Stems | The stem's zigzag shape is greatly compressed with very short internodes (length of stem between points of leaf attachment), creating a braided-like texture. |
| Flowers | Red, bird-shaped 'flowers' are actually 2-lipped bracts that enclose small, bright red flowers. |
| Fruit | Small fruits are known as capsules. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Stems, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Rooftops, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Drought Tolerant, Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| 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 | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1015 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2309 |
| 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. |
