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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurges) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Synonyms: [P pavonis, Euphorbia bracteata] |
| Height: 4-8 feet |
| Width: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Drought Tolerant: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): No Irrigation required |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Pedilanthus bracteatus (Slipper plant) Growing to around 6 feet tall (to 9 feet in habitat) this upright succulent branches from the base and has narrow cylindrical green stems with ovate leaves, with a thick mid-vein on the lower surface, that appear just near the branch tips. All vegetative parts of the plant are often sparsely hairy. In the warmth of late spring and summer appear the curiously shaped red cyathia (flower structures containing separate male and female parts) are enclosed in rounded reddish pink bracts near the branch tips. These curious flowers on several Pedilanthus species are somewhat shoe shaped and gives this genus the common name Slipper Plant. Other common names include Slipper Spurge and Candelilla (more commonly associated with Euphorbia antisyphilitica and Pedilanthus macrocarpus), for the hard brown wax from this species. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil and water sparingly to not at all. We believe this plant hardy to around 25° F because it can be found in gardens in Santa Barbara but we have not had it outside yet for a cold winter to test this. The Pedilanthus have been reclassified many times and the current treatment is to include them with the genus Euphorbia, making this plant's valid name Euphorbia bracteata. This plant is native to dry deciduous woodlands in Mexico from Sonora to Guerrero and is easily distinguished from Pedilanthus macrocarpus, a Baja California species sometimes seen in southwestern gardens, by its taller height and longer stems as well as the presence of leaves at the branch tips which the leafless Pedilanthus macrocarpus lacks. Our thanks to Santa Barbara landscaper contractor Cathleen Lynch, who shared this plant with us.
The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens in the Santa Barbara area. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information about this plant, even if they disagree with what we have written.
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