Euphorbia tithymaloides (redbird flower)

Japanese name: ユーフォルビア ティティマロイデス
Scientific name: Euphorbia tithymaloides

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub 1.8–2.8 m tall.
A milky white latex comes out when the stems or leaves are damaged.
The stem is fleshy and often grows bent in a zigzag shape.
Leaves are simple and alternate, ovate to elliptic, 3–7.5 cm long, pointed at both ends, and thick.
The leaf margins are entire.
Cyathia emerge at the stem tips, and the flowers have no perianth.
The bracts surrounding the flowers are glossy red, 1.5–2.5 cm long, with a spur on the side.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
For cuttings, immediately wash the cut end with water or soak it in water to wash off the milky white latex, then let the cut end dry before inserting it.
The larger the cut surface, the harder it is to root.
To overwinter, keep it at 5 °C or above.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; in winter, keep it on the dry side.
It tolerates dryness well.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release chemical fertilizer once every 2 months, or liquid fertilizer once a month.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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