Pedilanthus tithymaloides

Kingdom: Plantae

Divisi: Magnoliphyta

Classis: Magnoliopsida

Order: Malphigiales

Family: Euphobiaceae

Genus: Pedilanthus

Species: Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L.) Poit

Local name: Sig-sag

Pedilanthus tithymaloides is commonly called devil’s backbone in reference to the zigzag stems that purportedly resemble a spinal column. Native from southern Florida and the Caribbean to Venezuela, this clump-forming succulent shrub or subshrub will grow in nature to 6’ tall and to 3’ wide. Indoors, it more typically grows to 2’ tall. Ovate to elliptic, medium green leaves (to 3” long). Showy, two-lipped, red bracts encase insignificant tiny scarlet flowers in late spring or early summer. Flowers are clustered at the branch ends. Fruits are small capsules. Plants rarely bloom indoors, however. Zigzag stems exude a poisonous milky sap when cut. Tolerant of some soil dryness, but leaf drop will occur if soils become too dry.

Genus name comes from the Greek words pedilon meaning sandal and anthos meaning a flower for the shape of the flowers.

‘Variegatus’ has leaves with pink or white variegation.

Location: FIP Building

Benefit: Ornamental and medical plant, can remediate plastic soils

Synonyms:

• Crepidaria carinata (Donn) Haw.
• Crepidaria myrtifolia (L.) Haw.
• Crepidaria subcarinata Haw.
• Euphorbia carinata Donn
• Pedilanthus campester Brandegee
• Pedilanthus camporum Standl. & Steyerm.
• Pedilanthus canaliculatus (Lodd.) Sweet
• Pedilanthus carinatus (Donn) Spreng.
• Pedilanthus deamii Millsp.
• Pedilanthus fendleri Boiss.
• Pedilanthus gritensis Zahlbr.
• Pedilanthus houlletii Baill.
• Pedilanthus ierensis Britton
• Pedilanthus myrtifolius (L.) Link
• Pedilanthus petraeus Brandegee
• Pedilanthus pringlei Rob.
• Pedilanthus subcarinatus (Haw.) Sweet
• Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L.) Poit.
• Tithymaloides fendleri (Boiss.) Kuntze
• Tithymaloides houlletii (Baill.) Kuntze
• Tithymaloides myrtifolia (L.) Kuntze
• Tithymalus deamii (Millsp.) Croizat
• Tithymalus ierensis (Britton) Croizat
• Tithymalus myrtifolius (L.) Mill.
• Tithymalus petraeus (Brandegee) Croizat
• Tithymalus pringlei (Rob.) Croizat
• Tithymalus tithymaloides (L.) Croizat