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Euphorbia tithymaloides subsp. smallii 'Variegatus'

Euphorbia tithymaloides subsp. smallii 'Variegatus'

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Euphorbia tithymaloides subsp. smallii 'Variegatus'

Family Name: Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms: Pedilanthus tithymaloides subsp. smallii 'Variegatus'
Common Name: Variegated Zigzag Plant, Variegated Devil's Backbone, 斑叶红雀珊瑚

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Infraspecific Epithet
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Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Shrubby
Maximum Height 2 m

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A peculiar, robust, small to medium-sized, moderately fast-growing, somewhat erect shrub that possesses distinctive, strong, stout, succulent zig-zag stems and brightly variegated foliage with a beautiful mix of cream to pale yellow, green to slight tinge of pink and red.
Foliage Leaves simple, alternate, waxy, lanceolate (lance head-shaped), with acuminate (tapering to a point) tips and sessile (attached directly at the base; not having a stalk) bases, glabrous, about 4 to 7 cm long and 3 to 4 cm wide, with undulated to entire margins, cream to pale yellow, green to flushed pink or red.
Others - Plant Morphology Stem: Stems somewhat erect to spreading, stout, succulent, darker green (usually serve as the photosynthetic organ in the absence of deciduous leaves), zig-zag growing, glabrous (smooth; not rough or hairy), often having a raised, nearly ledge-like swellings subtending its foliage. Flower: Flowers a cyathium (cup-shaped inflorescence surrounded with a collection of bracts), vary from pink to red. Fruit: Fruits sulcate (grooved or furrowed), 0.5 to 0.6 cm in diameter; seeds subglobose (not entirely spherical), grey-brown, about 0.45 cm long and 0.3 cm wide.
Cultivation Adaptable to a wide range of light conditions, it prefers semi-shade condition with a few good hours of direct sun and the rest of the day with filtered light. Colours on foliage seem to be light dependent, with strong, direct light to generate more suffused pink or red on the foliage. Plant is drought tolerant and defoliation can occur should there be too much a water stress. Prune back occasionally to get a bushier plant. Propagate by cuttings. Caution: Roots, stems and leaves of plant contain toxic juice. Handle with extra care and wear gloves if need be.
Etymology > The genus epithet ‘Euphorbia’ is derived from 'Euphorbus', the Greek physician to Juba II, King of Mauretania. Juba II was treated by a plant (probably the Resin Spurge, Euphorbia resinifera) with powerful medicinal properties, of which he named after his Greek physician 'Euphorbus'. The species epithet ‘tithymaloides’ is derived from the ancient name used by Pliny the Elder to describe a ‘Euphorbia’, ‘Tithymalus’, which resembles the plant. The subspeices epithet ‘smallii' is named after Dr. John Kunkel Small, 20th century American explorer and botanist, who probably collected or described this plant.
Ethnobotanical Uses Others: Based on folklore, leaves are brewed into tea to treat asthma, persistent coughing and mouth ulcers. Sap has been tradtionally used to treat callouses, ear ache, insect stings, ringworm, skin cancer, toothache, umbilical hernias, and warts, though none has been scientifically proven as effective.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Stems, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Container Planting, Suitable for Rooftops, General, Flowerbed / Border
Thematic Landscaping Golden Garden, Rockery / Desert Garden
Usage Hazard - Cons Irritant - Sap

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Little Water
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Drought Tolerant, Shallow Media
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Propagation Method Stem Cutting

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green, Pink, Red, Yellow / Golden
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Thick
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s) Aboveground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Red
Flowering Period Rarely
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

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Images

Others

Master ID 1016
Species ID 2310
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 24 February 2022.
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