Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Madagascar
Types
-
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Habitat
bottomlands, Depression on prairies, ditches, Floodplains, Riverbanks, stream banks, Swamps
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-9
9-13
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Yellow, Brown
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Shape
Oval with a pointed tip and fine teeth along their edges
Ovate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Spring
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Tolerances
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune in the late winter or spring, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Shape and thin as needed
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, No need to fertilize every year
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Red blotch, Sawfly Larvae
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Drought
Flower Petal Number
-
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Allergy
Asthma
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Erosion control, Wildlife
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
-
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
BETULA nigra
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
River Birch
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
River Birch
Devil's Backbone
In German
Fluss Birch
Devil's Backbone
In French
Birch river
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
river Birch
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
ποταμός Birch
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
river Birch
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Rzeka Birch
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
Betula
Narum diaboli
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fagales
Malpighiales
Family
Betulaceae
Crassulaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Subfamily
-
Euphorbioideae
Season and Care of River Birch and Devils Backbone
Season and care of River Birch and Devils Backbone is important to know. While considering everything about River Birch and Devils Backbone Care, growing season is an essential factor. River Birch season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Devils Backbone season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for River Birch is Clay, Loam, Sand and for Devils Backbone is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for River Birch is Acidic, Neutral and for Devils Backbone is Neutral, Alkaline.
River Birch and Devils Backbone Physical Information
River Birch and Devils Backbone physical information is very important for comparison. River Birch height is 1,220.00 cm and width 1,220.00 cm whereas Devils Backbone height is 90.00 cm and width 30.00 cm. The color specification of River Birch and Devils Backbone are as follows:
River Birch flower color: Yellow and Brown
River Birch leaf color: Green and Light Green
Devils Backbone flower color: Purple, Orange, Pink and Magenta
- Devils Backbone leaf color: Green, Gray Green and Burgundy
Care of River Birch and Devils Backbone
Care of River Birch and Devils Backbone include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. River Birch pruning is done Prune in the late winter or spring, Remove dead or diseased plant parts and Shape and thin as needed and Devils Backbone pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves. In summer River Birch needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Devils Backbone needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.