Euphorbia tithymaloides

Christmas candle, devil's backbone, redbird cactus, et al.
Green leaf var. of Euphorbia tithymaloides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Section: Euphorbia sect. Crepidaria
Species:
E. tithymaloides
Binomial name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Synonyms
  • Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L.) Poit.
  • Tithymalus tithymaloides (L.) Croizat

Euphorbia tithymaloides is a perennial succulent spurge native to the tropical and subtropical areas of North America and Central America. An erect shrub, the plant is also known by the scientific name Pedilanthus tithymaloides. However, the genus Pedilanthus has been subsumed into the genus Euphorbia, and is more correctly known by its new name (Euphorbia tithymaloides).