The Zigzag Plant
The Pedilanthus  tithymaloides,  better known as The Zigzag Plant, has been described as “a funny kind of plant,” not because the sight of  it evokes mirth, but because of its shape, or, more accurately,  the  manner in which it grows. The stem of the plant changes direction each time it grows a leaf, forming a  showy kind of zig-zag pattern as it lengthens.
This odd shape of the plant’s is responsible for another common name: Devil’s Backbone. The Devil, though (who is not normally seen, or sightings of whom are  rare), may take umbrage at that name and demand: “How do you know my backbone looks like that?”
Thankfully, the Pedilanthus  tithymaloides has many  other popular names, such as ‘Jacob’s Ladder’,  ‘Japanese Poinsettia’ and ‘The Slipper Flower’, just to name three.
The Pedilanthus  tithymaloides  is also  said to be  a distant relative of the well-known Christmastime plant, ‘The Poinsettia’.
The  plant, a moist shrub,  is  native to dry tropical forests of Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. It can grow to 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) in height, and generally is about 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) in width.
Its leaves are either glossy green or variegated, and the flowers, which occur in bunches at the end of a stem and usually are  a bright pink or reddish pink,  have been described as slipper-shaped, red birds, ducks, or even cow skulls.
Its flowers are hummingbird-pollinated, but generally, the Pedilanthus  tithymaloides is regarded as an ornamental foliage plant that can be grown  as an indoor houseplant or outdoors in containers or in rock gardens or as a border plant in gardens.
Locally, the Pedilanthus  tithymaloides or Zigzag plant  is very easy to grow as a
houseplant. It is drought-tolerant, and care should be taken not to over-water it.
The unusual but  lovely Pedilanthus  tithymaloides is available in both glossy leaves and
variegated varieties at the horticultural  plant specialists  at Flower Paradise,  Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara. Tel# 233-3029.
Prices range generally from $500 and up.