English: Japanese lady's slipper.
Pedilanthus tithymaloides is a perennial succulent spurge (euphorbiaceae). An erect shrub, the plant is now known by the scientific name
Euphorbia tithymaloides. However, the genus Pedilanthus has been submerged into the genus Euphorbia, and is more correctly known by its new name
Euphorbia tithymaloides. However, for homeopathic identification it will remain
Pedilanthus tithymaloides. The common names: Devil’s Backbone. Japanese Lady Slipper, Japanese Poinsettia, Redbird Cactus, Christmas Candle, Jacob’s ladder.
Pedilanthus tithymaloides is native to tropical and subtropical North America and Central America. It prefers soil that is sandy, well-drained, and nutrient-rich, particularly with higher concentrations of boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. It is relatively intolerant of high soil salinity levels, but exhibits saline tolerance if well fertilized. The plant tends to be taller and have more biomass if it is well-watered. The plant requires a sunny area to grow in. The flowers are striking, bright pink and pointing in a single direction the leaf is a simple angiosperm leaf, arranged oppositely on the stem, giving it one of its common names Jacob’s ladder. It is pollinated by hummingbirds, most prominently the
Ruby-throated hummingbird.
The roots, stems, and leaves of the plant are known to be toxic. These parts of the plant contain euphorbol, a complex terpene, and a known carcinogen. Even minor amounts of the sap of the
Euphorbia tithymaloides root can irritate mucosal membranes. When ingested, the irritation of the mucosal membranes of the stomach and intestines will cause nausea and vomiting. Topical application causes skin irritation, inflammation, and even blisters. If introduced topically to the eye, severe pain, and inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva can occur. Ingesting even a few seeds can cause violent and persistent vomiting and extreme diarrhea.
In folk medicine, tea has been brewed from the leaves which has been used to treat asthma, persistent coughing, laryngitis, mouth ulcers, and venereal disease. Tea brewed from the root has been used as an abortifacient. The latex has been used topically to treat calluses, ear ache, insect stings, ringworm, skin cancer, toothache, umbilical hernias, and warts. In the West Indies, a few drops of the latex is added to milk and used as an emetic.
Pedilanthus tithymaloides was evaluated as an incessantly renewable and potential source of hydrocarbons. Extracts were obtained from successive extraction of whole plant material with solvents like petroleum ether, benzene and ethyl acetate. A white amorphous mixture of hydrocarbons was obtained by elution of the column by petroleum ether which was found to be comparable with gasoline.
Sources:Encyclopedia of Tropical
Plants; Ahmed Fayaz
Spoerke and Smolinske, Toxicity of Houseplants, 1990, p. 181.
Nellis, Poisonous
Plants and
Animals of Florida and the Caribbean, 1997, p. 182.
Neumann, Kumar, and Sopory, Recent Advances in Plant Biotechnology and Its Applications, 2008
Potential use of
Pedilanthus tithymaloides as a renewable resource of plant hydrocarbons.
Plant Theory640.00:
Fabanae644.00:
Fabidae644.30
Euphorbiaceae644.26:
Stage: 17