Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Shrub
Origin
Southeastern United States
Madagascar
Types
Tree
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Number of Varieties
-8
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dappled Shade, Sunny Edge, Woodland Garden Canopy
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-99-13
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
9-3
-
Sunset Zone
2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Pyramidal
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
460.00 cm90.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
370.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Brown
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Red, Orange Red
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Oblong to ablanceolate
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
-
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
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
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial 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
Nitrate based fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Beetles
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
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Hummingbirds
Allergy
-
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Hair Conditioner, Skin Problems
Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Cardiac, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Tonic
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Leaves
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
It is a remedy for treating fevers, Used in making tea, Used in treatment of mouth ulcers
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, Mixed Border
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
OXYDENDRUM arboreum
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
Sourwood
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
Sourwood
Devil's Backbone
In German
Sourwood
Devil's Backbone
In French
Sourwood
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
Sourwood
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
Sourwood
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
Sourwood
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Sourwood
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
Sourwood
Narum diaboli
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Ericales
Malpighiales
Family
Ericaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Oxydendrum
Euphorbia
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Oxydendreae
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
Vaccinioideae
Euphorbioideae
Number of Species
12000
1
27800
👆🏻