PlantFiles: Burro's Tail, Donkey's Tail
Sedum morganianum

This is a great little plant, and fun to propogate. You can even start new plants from the little "peas" that come off the main vine. PLEASE BE AWARE this plant is NOT Euphorbia myrsinites, the invasive, poisonous nasty guy some of the other comments are refering to which is also sometimes called "Donkey Tail." You could probably eat this one (though I wouldn't recommend it). Fun plant and can do some really creative window-box decorating. Our first cutting came back from Hawaii with us (contrary to popular belief, you can bring plants back from Hawaii if you know the rules) in a ziplock bag and was planted within the week in semi-sandy soil in our greenhouse.

I have a rather large 20+ year old Donkey's tail, and recently it did something it has never done in it's lifetime. A long(aprox 12inches) stem topped with two large(3" diameter) green fuzzy petal-like leaves emerged from the center of the planter. A day later two, half inch long dark-pink tubular blossoms appeared in the center of the newly formed leaves.
I have searched everywhere on the web and found nothing about regarding these flowers.... It has never blossomed the way many photos I've seen, and I thought this was peculiar. Anyone out there have any info regarding this mysterious blossom?

This plant is not only highly toxic but it is also HIGHLY INVASIVE! If you are a supporter of native plants to the area that you live in, please do not plant this plant in your yard.

I just love this interesting plant and it's really a big conversation piece amongst friends. I use it a lot for planter heads and it gives the look of dreadlocks. I was sure surprised lately with some very pretty pink blooms. I give my head planters a haircut every so often and just poke the cuttings into a sandy-soil mix and they take off! In a year, I would say that mine have grown about 6 inches. I possibly have them in too much sun though, under an enclosed pool cage as they become a little yellow. I read about transplanting a 20 year old. I just don't know how I would do that as the plant is just so fragile and tends to break off easily. Good Luck!

My best friend had these before he deployed to Iraq, and I LOVED them, but was never able to get a cutting... I currently live in Sanford, NC. Does anyone know if they have these around this area?!?!?

I love this plant and I have a lovely specimen that I have been growing for more than 20 years. My problem is it needs repotting (it is quite large) and I wondered if anyone has any tips for doing this without damaging the plant too much.

Printed from Label:
Forms semi-prostrate stems with dense "jelly bean" leaves. Excellent for hanging basket culture. Prefers bright, filtered light with ample airflow. Protect from frost. Provide bright light; hardy to 32F; trailing. Water thoroughly when soil is dry.
CactusCollection.com

"Donkey tail" is a common name given to two very different plants. I love this plant and am so sorry to see it get a bad reputation.

Euphorbia myrsinites (donkey tail or creeping splurge) is poisonous. Allergic reactions are not uncommon in Euphorbias, in general.

Sedum morganianum (donkey tail, burro's tail, lamb's tail) is a succulent and is safe. The pictures on this page are the harmless succulent. If you bought a donkey tail sedum and it looks like the pictures on this page, you are safe.

I JUST BOUGHT A SEDUM BURITTO PLANT FROM WALL-
MART AND IT NEVER SAID IT WAS POSIONOUS. I AM SO
GLAD THIS SITE TOLD US HOW BAD IT COULD BE IF NOT
ANY PERCAUTION TAKEN. I HAVE SMALL GRAND KIDS
WHO LOVE PLANTS AND FLOWERS. THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION.

Hey succulentdude3, gently lift the stem from the soil and see if any roots have formed. If it looks rotted or otherwise unhealthy, try again. Be sure to let the cut stem end callus over before you plant it. Good luck!

I planted a stem+leaf about a month and a half ago in succulent/cactus soil. It hasnt grown at all. It gets sunlight a plenty. Why hasnt it grown? It's a wicked plant, nonetheless.

I needed to trim my donkey tail plants and found out that evening to have a major allergic reaction to it. I must of gotten some of the milky discharge from a broken stem on my face. It burnt and I had burning in my nose so I took Benadryl and when I woke up in the morning I had the face of death. My nose and area surrounding was swollen and inflammed. My chin had a patch with blisters and inflammation to it. The swelling went into my eyes. I was quite a site. The ER gave me some steroids and more Benadryl and sent me home. Good luck and wear gloves.

My brother in-law was trimming this plant (they live in Reno, NV) and some of the secretions from the Donkey's Tail got in his eyes. His eyes began to swell really bad so my sister called Poison Control and they told them to get him to emergency care right away. They kept him nearly 10 hours and sent him home with strict orders to call them back in two days to let them know how he was recovering. Two days later his vision is still blurred. Apparently he has a severe allergic reaction to this plant. The poison control center told them he could have gone blind if left untreated. Not a plant worth having in my estimation!

this plant was put forward as a possible cause of the death of my cat .Has anyone any evidence to the toxicity of this plant? Is it edible?

San Antonio, Texas
This is an excellent hanging basket plant. It requires little attention and grows quite rapidly. Although it can withstand some light freezes, I bring it in the house if the temperature falls below 25 degrees in order to keep the ends of the "tails" from receiving freeze burn. Do not overwater.

Thanks so much for the information posted! I received a piece of this plant from a nice woman who lived two houses down from a friend I was visiting. She didn't give me any information about this lovely plant nor did she give me the name of it. All she said was to stick the cutting and any "leaves" that fall off into dirt. I've been trying to grow more of it without success. Thanks to this site, I think I'll have a better chance now!

Very nice pictures and very well documented.

This plant is easily propagated from stems or just a single leaf dropped on sandy soil. It will root and sprout new "leaflets" in just a few days.

Burro's tail is a native of Mexico. It is an attractive, succulent plant for hanging baskets. The leaves have a silvery blue cast to them and the branches may reach 3 feet or more. It needs warm temperatures and full sun to partial shade. Plants should be watered on at least a weekly basis. The soil should be allowed to dry thoroughly in between waterings. Apply fertilizer once during the growing season. During its dormant period, water only enough to keep the leaves from shriveling.