Life Span
Annual and Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Shrub
Origin
Eastern Africa, Middle Africa
Madagascar
Types
-
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Number of Varieties
308
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Broad-Leaved Forests, Open areas, Suburban areas, Tropical regions
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-119-13
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
10-1
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
610.00 cm90.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
610.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Light Green, Tan
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Light Green
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Blue Green
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Blue Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Blue Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Blue Green
Green, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Pinnate
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Medium
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
-
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Grafting, Seedlings, Stem Planting, Transplanting
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs
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
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
-
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
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Hummingbirds
Allergy
-
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
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
Bark
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Wood is used for making furniture, Wood log is used in making fences
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
AFROCARPUS gracilior
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
East African Yellowwood, Fern Pine
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
फर्न पाइन
Devil's Backbone
In German
Fern Pinien
Devil's Backbone
In French
pin Fern
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
pino helecho
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
Fern πεύκο
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
pinho Fern
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Fern sosna
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
Fern pinus
Narum diaboli
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
-
Magnoliophyta
Class
Pinopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Pinales
Malpighiales
Family
Podocarpaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Afrocarpus
Euphorbia
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
Faboideae
Euphorbioideae
Number of Species
62000
1
27800
👆🏻