Slipper plant
Pedilanthus tithymaloides

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A succulent shrub. It grows 1.8 m tall. It has milky sap. It may or may not lose its leaves. The stems are fleshy and erect. They are zigzag in shape, bending at each node. The leaves are mid green and boat shaped. The leaves are 8 cm long. The flowers are like a group of laces and are red. The flowers are tube shaped and have red bracts.

Used as a medicine in Indonesia. There are about 14 Pedilanthus species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in drier tropical rainforest and open areas. It grows up to 700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Costa Rica, East Africa, Fiji, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Guyana, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Rotuma, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tuvalu, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The flowers have a sweet juicy nectar which is eaten. Caution: The milky sap can be poisonous.

It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Flower nectar, plant - tea

How it is grown

It is grown from seeds or cuttings. It can be grown as a hedge.

Its other names

Local names

Airi, Belati-sij, Birdflower, Devil's backbone, Gongaman, Japanese poinsettia, Kayek, Lakau toto, Nag-phani, Nagdaman, Pedilantus zig-zag, Pedong, Penawar lipan, Pohon sig-sag, Pokok lalipan, Redbird cactus, Sweetie, Tentulang jantan, Vilayti-sher, Yu dai gen

Synonyms

Euphorbia tithymaloides L.;