Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Tree
Origin
Madagascar
Southeastern Asia
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Bauhinia. blakeana, Bauhinia variegata Candida.
Number of Varieties
82
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
tropical environments
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1310-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-10
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
H1, H2, 13, 19, 21, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm460.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm460.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Pink, Light Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Lavender, Violet
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
-
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, Yellow green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Orbiculate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Late Fall, Early Winter, Winter, Late Winter
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Grafting, Layering, Stem Cutting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Requires regular watering, Water more in summer
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
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial shade, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Cut or pinch the stems, Prune ocassionally, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Less fertilizing
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Bacterial leaf scorch, Borers, Caterpillars, Leaf spot, Mites
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
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
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Bees, Birds
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bouquets, 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
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Flowers, Leaves, Seeds
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Food for insects, Used As Food
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Tropical
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
BAUHINIA blakeana
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Blake's Butterfly Tree, Chinese Orchid Tree, Hong Kong Orchid Tree
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
हांगकांग आर्किड पेड़
In German
Devil's Backbone
Hong Kong Orchidee Baum
In French
Backbone du Diable
Hong Kong arbre d'orchidée
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
árbol de orquídea Hong Kong
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
δέντρο ορχιδέα Χονγκ Κονγκ
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
árvore de orquídea de Hong Kong
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
storczyk drzewo Hong Kong
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Hong Kong Orchid ligno
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Angiosperms
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Fabales
Family
Crassulaceae
Fabaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Bauhinia
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
Caesalpinioideae
Number of Species
20007
1
27800
👆🏻