Devil's Backbone
Euphorbia tithymaloides
- Found in India
- Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & more
How to identify Devil's Backbone
Identify Devil's Backbone by combining habit, leaf characters, flower or fruit details, location, and its family pattern. Do not rely on one feature alone.
- Check the distinctive field mark: Zigzag succulent stems (devil's backbone).
- Confirm leaf type: Simple.
- Confirm leaf margin: Entire.
- Confirm flower colour: Green.
- In India, compare location records such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and nearby regions.
- Confirm it sits within the Euphorbiaceae family pattern, then compare close relatives before deciding it is Devil's Backbone.
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Euphorbia tithymaloides
- Genus
- Euphorbia
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Found in India
- Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Jharkhand, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Leaf type
- SimplerecordedA single, undivided leaf blade.“The leaf is a simple angiosperm leaf, arranged oppositely on the stem.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf margin
- EntirerecordedA smooth, unbroken edge with no teeth or notches.“The leaves are glabrous (smooth) and acuminate in shape, with entire (smooth) edges.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf surface
- GlabrousrecordedSmooth, hairless.“The leaves are glabrous (smooth) and acuminate in shape, with entire (smooth) edges.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Typical of the family
- Arrangement
- Alternate
Characters marked “recorded” are for Devil's Backbone itself; the rest are typical of the Euphorbiaceae family.
Flower & fruit characters
- Flower colour
- GreenrecordedGreen or greenish
Typical of the family
- Flower symmetry
- Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical)
- Inflorescence
- Cyme
- Fruit
- Capsule
Characters marked “recorded” are for Devil's Backbone itself; the rest are typical of the Euphorbiaceae family — flowering plants only.
Local Names
- Hindi
- ਯੁਫ਼ੋਰਬੀਆ ਟਿਥੀਮਾਲਿਓਡਦਸ
- Malayalam
- തത്തമ്മച്ചെടി
About Devil's Backbone
Devil's Backbone (Euphorbia tithymaloides) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. In India it has been recorded in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and 15 other states.
Uses
In practice it is long used in traditional medicine, planted as an ornamental and burnt as firewood or charcoal. Those medicinal uses are traditional attributions, not medical advice. Parts of this plant are reported as poisonous — treat it as unsafe to eat and wash your hands after handling.
Euphorbiaceae
Spurge/Euphorbia family
Devil's Backbone belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
Explore the Euphorbiaceae familySnap it. Know it.
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Common plant problems
If you are starting from symptoms instead of a diagnosis, use the plant disease symptom checker to narrow the cause before treating.
All plant problem & care guides