Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Tree
Origin
Madagascar
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Nyssa sylvatica
Number of Varieties
85
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Lowland, Sandy areas, Wet Woods
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-135-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
9-7
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Habit
Upright/Erect
Pyramidal
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm1,828.80 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm762.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Yellow green
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Dark Blue, Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Crimson, Dark Red, Orange Red
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Oblovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Slow
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Poorly Drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Summer
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Wet Site, Drought, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings, Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Average Water Needs, Medium
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Poorly Drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune in early spring, Prune in late winter, Prune when plant is dormant, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Birds
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Mild Allergen, Pollen
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Used in parkland, Water gardening
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Food for animals, Food for birds, Nesting sites for birds, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife, Windbreak
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Emetic, Opthalmic, Vermifuge
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Fruits, Seeds
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Food for insects, Used as a dye, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
NYSSA sylvatica
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Sour Gum
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Black Tupelo Tree
In German
Devil's Backbone
Schwarz Tupelo Baum
In French
Backbone du Diable
Noir Arbre Tupelo
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Árbol negro Tupelo
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Μαύρη Tupelo Δέντρο
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Árvore Tupelo Preto
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Czarny Tupelo Drzewo
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Niger Tupelo ligno
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Cornales
Family
Crassulaceae
Nyssaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Nyssa
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Bombini
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Nyssoideae
Number of Species
200045
1
27800
👆🏻