Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Shrub
Origin
United States, Central United States
Madagascar
Types
Deciduous Tree
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Number of Varieties
3348
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Woodland Garden Canopy
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-89-13
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
8-4
-
Sunset Zone
7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Spreading
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
1,830.00 cm90.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
1,220.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow green, Chartreuse
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Chocolate
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Gray Green, Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Tan, Brown
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
oblong or obovate
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Spring
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Pollution, Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Water during dry weather
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, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Phosphorous
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Anthracnose, Sunken patches
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
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Hummingbirds
Allergy
Severe allergen
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Antiseptic, Astringent, Emetic, Febrifuge, Tonic
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Seeds
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute, Used as a thickening in stews, Wood is used for making furniture
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
Feature Plant, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
QUERCUS imbricaria
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
Shingle Oak
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
Shingle Oak
Devil's Backbone
In German
Kies Eiche
Devil's Backbone
In French
Shingle Oak
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
teja de madera de roble
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
βότσαλα Oak
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
Shingle Oak
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
gont Oak
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
Quercus imbricaria
Narum diaboli
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fagales
Malpighiales
Family
Fagaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Quercus
Euphorbia
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
Fagoideae
Euphorbioideae
Number of Species
82000
1
27800
👆🏻