Crooked stem plant

11 years ago

I just bought this at Lowe's, no tag of course. Any ideas what it might be? I thought it looked sort of like it was in the bamboo family but I am not sure.

Thanks

Featured Answer

roselola

8 years ago

I have this plant growing in a box. Stuck a tiny clipping years ago right in the dirt and voila, years later it is huge, has tiny reddish flowers on the super long stems. Grows without water and without sun. Planted clippings everywhere and they thrive in all conditions.

Comments (12)

greenlarry
11 years ago
I know this one. Its not a grass (bamboo is a type of grass) but I think its something close to Euphorbia.
Polly381
Original Author
11 years ago
OK I will research that. It was the only one there, I asked the attendant and they didnt know. SURPRISE!! (Not)
thanks Larry
greenlarry
11 years ago
Good luck! Id like to know too.
Polly381
Original Author
11 years ago
Larry here is what I found but this is one is varigated.
Euphorbia tiruis. I cant find any other information besides the name. If anyone else has growing information, I would appreciate it.
Thanks
pirate_girl
11 years ago
Nope. sorry, I don't think so.

I think it's called Pedilanthus (Devil's Ivy). It comes in all green & in variegated. I believe it's a form of Euphorbia, so I'd recommend caution when handling it & its sap (to avoid potential skin irritation).
greenlarry
11 years ago
Ah,Pedilanthus tityhmaloides, also known as Euphorbia tithymaloides. Lumpers and splitters in action again..and yes its toxic:

Here is a link that might be useful: Zig Zag Euphorbia info
Polly381
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Larry, I appreciate the info.
greenlarry
11 years ago
Of course I want one...;)
strobiculate
11 years ago
Pedilanthus thithamaloides. A few cultivars available. Reddish tint develops if temps cool enough. Can flower, small little red flowers that appear to be flying, leading to the name red bird cactus. I prefer the variegated forms, especially a cultivar called splish splash, with a variegated stem in addition to the leaf.

What in the euphorbia group ain't poisonous to some degree?
tropicbreezent
11 years ago
It's scientific name is Euphorbia tithymaloides. According to Wiki these are some of it's common names:

Buck-thorn, Cimora misha, Christmas Candle, Devil's Backbone, Fiddle Flower, Ipecacuahana, Jacob's Ladder, Japanese Poinsettia, Jew's Slipper, Jewbush, Milk-Hedge, Myrtle-Leaved Spurge, Padus-Leaved Clipper Plant, Red Slipper Spurge, Redbird Cactus, Redbird Flower, Slipper Flower, Slipper Plant, Slipper Spurge, Timora Misha, and Zig-Zag Plant.

I've only ever called it Zig-Zag Plant. I've got a lot of it at my place, both green and variegated. Never look after it. Some is growing in full shade and doesn't have a lot of growth. One growing in the sun is a big clump/bush, or maybe multiple plants.
Polly381
Original Author
11 years ago
Wow thanks everyone. I seen it last week and when I went back today it was still there.
Thanks everyone for the info.