Croton bonplandianus Baill.

Description

Croton bonplandianus is an annual herb or small shrub, usually 30 cm–1.5 m tall, with an erect, branched growth habit. The stem is slender, green to reddish, and covered with fine stellate hairs. Leaves are simple, alternate, petiolate, ovate to lanceolate, usually 3–8 cm long, with serrated margins, an acute apex, and a hairy surface. The leaves often possess a characteristic aromatic smell when crushed. Flowers are small, greenish-white, unisexual, and arranged in terminal or axillary racemes. The species is monoecious, with numerous male flowers usually occupying the upper portion of the inflorescence and female flowers occurring below. Fruits are small, dry, three-lobed capsules containing three smooth brown seeds.

Diagnostic Characters

Distribution

Phenology

Ethnobotany & Uses

Where it grows on campus

Taxonomic Notes

Croton bonplandianus can be distinguished from other Croton species by its smaller herbaceous habit, hairy leaves, terminal racemes, and three-lobed capsules.