Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tender Perennial
Shrub
Origin
Southern Africa
Madagascar
Types
Perennial
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Habitat
Desert, Mediterranean region, Subtropical climates, Temperate Regions
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-10
9-13
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Yellow, Light Yellow, Brown
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Green, Brown
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Shape
Grass like
Ovate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Rhizome division, Seedlings
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
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, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Any balanced general purpose fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Nematodes, Scale
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Allergy
Skin irritation
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Ethnobotanic
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
-
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Root
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Roots were worn to protect and strengthen the wearer, Used as Ornamental plant
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
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Tropical, Water Gardens
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
DIETES bicolor
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
African iris, Fortnight lily
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
African Iris
Devil's Backbone
In German
Afrikanische Iris
Devil's Backbone
In French
African Iris
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
Iris africano
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
Αφρικανική Iris
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
Iris africano
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Afryki Iris
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
African Iris
Narum diaboli
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Malpighiales
Family
Iridaceae
Crassulaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Irideae
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
Iridoideae
Euphorbioideae
Importance of African Iris and Devils Backbone
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of African Iris and Devils Backbone. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare African Iris and Devils Backbone as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of African Iris is whereas of Devils Backbone is Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation and Intestinal worms. African Iris has beauty benefits as follows: while Devils Backbone has beauty benefits as follows: .
Compare Facts of African Iris vs Devils Backbone
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of African Iris vs Devils Backbone and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of African Iris are Skin irritation whereas of Devils Backbone have Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation and Toxic respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. African Iris has no showy fruits and Devils Backbone has no showy fruits. Also African Iris is not flowering and Devils Backbone is not flowering . You can compare African Iris and Devils Backbone facts and facts of other plants too.