Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Shrub
Tree
Origin
Madagascar
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, Western United States, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Canada
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
-
Number of Varieties
82
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
Forest margins, Thickets
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-134-7
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
8-1
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6
Habit
Upright/Erect
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm370.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm430.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Ivory
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Yellow, Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
-
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Divison, Seedlings, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Do Not over Water, Keep ground moist
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, for fruiting plants, use high phosphorous content fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Bacterial leaf spot, Cane Spot, fungus, Powdery mildew, Viruses
Plant Tolerance
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
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
Sometimes
Sometimes
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Good for skin
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Food for birds, soil erosion prevension on hill slopes, soil stabilisation
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Cold, Fever
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Whole plant
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Screening / Wind Break
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Sambucus racemosa
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Red Elderberry, Red-berried Elderberry
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
Red Elderberry
In German
Devil's Backbone
Rote Holunder
In French
Backbone du Diable
Red sureau
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
La baya del saúco roja
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
κόκκινο Elderberry
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Red Elderberry
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Red Elderberry
In Latin
Narum diaboli
pubens
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Dipsacales
Family
Crassulaceae
Caprifoliaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Sambucus
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
-
Number of Species
20007
1
27800
👆🏻