Hi all.
A friend gave these pieces to me. She doesn't know what they are. I put them in water to root, to no avail…So I put them in a pot, and they have rooted and are beginning to grow. I pinched off a leave, and it has a milky sap, as can be seen in pic.#2. The leaves have a waxy feel.
Can you lead me in a direction for possible ID?
Thanks.

Possibly?

Variegated Devil's Backbone, Japanese Poinsettia, Slipper Spurge, Redbird Cactus, Christmas Candle
Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegatus'

I agree. I have some of this myself and it is a very tough plant. I brought it in for the winter one year and it got moved behind some boxes. It didn't get water or light for about 9 months. When I found it, it looked like a brown stick. I put it outside and watered and it came right back. It roots very easy from cuttings.

Variegated Devil's Backbone (Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegata')

Outstanding!!! I've heard of Variegated Devil's Backbone. Never heard of the other names though. And didn't know it was a Euphorbia!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Agreed!

Tara, in winter, the leaves get really pretty pink to rosy pink almost red coloration where the white is now. They look nice & showy. with what everyone else said about them. BTW, when we had those 2 winters down south where my bird bath froze solid, the devil's backbone fared quite well. It was planted in ground but on the north side of a north facing cement block stucco wall.

Just don't get any of the juice on clothing unless you want it ruined. If you get it on clothes, a couple hours later you will notice dark, dark, rust or blood colored spots & it's where the sap got on your clothes. I guarantee it can not be washed out with anything known to man. And if anyone *has* found anything that will get the stain out PLEASE let me know.

Thanks for that great info. Ann! And I'll definitely remember about that sap! Sounds like you have sad personal experience with the sap!

Yep, I have garden clothes that look like I committed murder in them but I keep them for when I cut back anything which has the milky white sap such as Confederate jasmine, crotons & even things like elephant ears & white bird of paradise which have clear juice but it does the same thing when it dries. Jatropha has the white sap too.

Most all of the above listed plants range from mild irritant to toxic

Including the pedilanthus.

Yes, latex can cause serious misery for those who are sensitive to it. Also in Ficus, Ipomoea, Plumeria, Ascleipas. Those sensitive might have sensitivity to other alkaloids too, common in the Aroid family. Suddenly, heart-leaf Philodendron is giving me a rash too.

Thanks y'all…Great info.!