Euphorbia bracteata aka Slipper Flower

Euphorbia bracteata is a shrub in the spurge family. It is a succulent, which means it stores water. Gardeners call it slipper plant or candelilla. Pedilanthus bracteatus is another name for the same species. It comes from western Mexico, from Sonora south to Guerrero. It grows on flat ground and gentle slopes near dry woodlands. Its home range includes deserts and dry shrubland.

In gardens, it grows about 6 feet (1.8 metres) tall. Its spread reaches 3–4 feet (0.9–1.2 metres). Other accounts give heights near 8 feet (2.5 metres). Wild plants can reach about 10 feet (3 metres). Many upright branches grow from the base of the plant. These green, round stems store water and have a wax coat. Their skin may feel rough or have a few hairs. Oval leaves grow in groups near the branch tips. A thick ridge runs beneath each leaf along its midrib. Plants may keep or shed their leaves as conditions change.

Flowers appear in late spring and summer. Small groups of flowers branch near the stem tips. Pink to red bracts sit around flower structures called cyathia. Each cyathium has male and female parts that are separate. The bracts give them the shoe-like shape behind the common name. Stems often shed their leaves before they bloom. Hummingbirds and insects may carry pollen between the flowers. The fruit is a capsule with three shallow lobes. It holds oval seeds.

Grow this shrub in full sun or partial shade. It suits pots and outdoor beds in warm climates. It can grow fast where there is no frost. Use an airy mix that drains well, with little organic matter. Once plants take root, they can cope with drought. Sources give different views on how much water to use. Some describe a season of rest. Others call for moderate water through the year. Growth may pause in very hot or cool weather. LLIFLE lists USDA zones 9b–12. Sources say plants can bear brief frost around -3 to -5°C. Cold, wet conditions raise the risk of rot. Plants in pots may shed many leaves after cold spells.

People gather wild plants for wax and use in folk medicine. The wax goes into products such as candles and polishes. Reports describe its use to cause vomiting and bowel movements. These reports do not prove that it works or is safe. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known food uses. Its sap warning draws on spurges as a group. It does not draw on findings for this species alone. The warning covers skin damage and severe harm to the eyes. It also warns of harm from swallowing the sap.