무늬대은룡

무늬대은룡

무늬대은룡

과명	Euphorbiaceae (대극과)	속명	Pedilanthus (페딜란투스속)
전체학명	Pedilanthus tithymaloides 'Variegatus'	추천명	무늬대은룡
이명		외국명	Devil's-backbone

 

General Description

Easily recognized by its rubbery, slightly zig-zagging stems, variegated devil's backbone has green and white leaves and reddish flowers in summertime. Its parent is a tender, succulent, perennial shrub that has an irritating milky sap, and is native to tropical America from Florida southward into northern South America.

This selection, ‘Variegatus,’ has medium-green, slightly glossy leaves that are perfect ovals edged in white. They flank the zigzag stems to resemble a crooked backbone with ribs. Although flowering in flushes year round in warm tropical regions, it blooms most heavily in summer. At the tip of the stems, small, starry, red flowers protrude from a cluster of reddish bracts (modified leaves). The flowers may be visited by an occasional insect. When flowering or chilly winter temperatures occur, the leaves may blush pink. An extended drought or winter cold spell may cause the leaves to completely drop off.

Grow variegated devil's backbone in full sun to partial shade in a very well-drained, sand-based soil. In very hot areas shade is recommended for summer afternoons and so is moisture. Keep the soil drier in winter. This shrub tolerates the mild frosts typical of warmer reaches of USDA zone 9. Use it as a billowy foliage and architectural shrub or prune it into a semi-formal hedgerow. When it is small it's a nice drama-free houseplant for sunny windows.

The sap of this shrub is an irritating milky latex that is freely released when stems are pruned or leaves knocked off. Be especially vigilant when pruning or working around this shrub. Wash skin immediately if contacted by the sap and avoid getting the sap in your eyes or mouth.

http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/pedilanthus-tithymaloides-variegatus/