Life Span
Perennial
Annual
Type
Shrub
Cactus or Succulent
Origin
Madagascar
Northern Africa, South Africa
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Xanthium strumarium canadense, Xanthium strumarium glabratum, Xanthium strumarium strumarium
Number of Varieties
83
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Clay soil areas, Farms, Roadsides
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-13-9999
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-10
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Clump-Forming
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm5.10 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm15.20 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Yellow, Red, Burgundy
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Brown, Green
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Green, Blue Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Egg-shaped
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer, Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Partial Sun, Partial shade
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
Summer, Fall
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
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
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
Partial Sun, Partial shade
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
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
-
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Skin irritation
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antispasmodic, Diuretic
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Xanthium strumarium
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Cocklebur
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
cocklebur
In German
Devil's Backbone
Klette
In French
Backbone du Diable
cocklebur
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
cadillo
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
ήρα
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
kokklevor
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
kokklevor
In Latin
Narum diaboli
kokklevor
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Asterales
Family
Crassulaceae
Asclepiadaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Xanthium
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
Heliantheae
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Asteroideae
Number of Species
2000200
1
27800
👆🏻