Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Tree
Origin
Madagascar
North America, United States, Southwestern United States, California, Mexico
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Lebombo ironwood, Giant ironwood
Number of Varieties
85
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Desert, Dry areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-138-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-9
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Habit
Upright/Erect
Spreading
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm610.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm610.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
White, Light Pink, Lavender
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Chocolate, Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Gray Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Gray Green, Gray
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Gray Green, Gray
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Gray Green, Gray
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Small oblong
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Slow
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flowers
Showy
Showy
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
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Butterflies
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Seeds, Stem
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Carvings, Knife handles
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Rock Garden / Wall, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
OLNEYA tesota
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Ironwood
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
रेगिस्तान आइरनवुड
In German
Devil's Backbone
Wüsteneisenholz
In French
Backbone du Diable
désert Ironwood
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Ironwood desierto
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Ironwood έρημο
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
deserto Ironwood
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
pustynia Ironwood
In Latin
Narum diaboli
desert ironwood
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Fabales
Family
Crassulaceae
Fabaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Olneya
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Robinieae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Faboideae
Number of Species
200030
1
27800
👆🏻