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Conservation Status
IUCN: least concern
USFWS: None
Family: EUPHORBIACEAE Genus: Codiaeum Species: variegatum Species Author: (L.) Rumph. ex A. Juss. Vernacular: Kesuk - Palauan [Balick 4387], Kurodong - Pohnpeian [Sohl 74] Synonyms: Croton variegatus L.
Croton has glossy, leathery leaves that are very variable in shape, highly colored and variegated. The leaves can be ovate or linear and variegated with pink, orange, green, brown, yellow and white. In addition the plant may change color as it matures. The plant produces hardly noticeable star-shaped yellow flowers that in long racemes. The cut stems bleed a sap that is poisonous.
(Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M. J. 1992. The Families of Flowering Plants: Descriptions,Illustrations, Identification, and Information Retrieval.)
(Powell, Charles C. and Vining Donald M. 1984. Ortho’s Complete Guide to Successful Houseplants.)
The bark, roots, latex and leaves are poisonous, containing the toxin called 5-deoxyingenol. Chewing the bark and roots is said to cause burning of the mouth. The latex has caused eczema in some gardeners after repeated exposure.
(Powell, Charles C. and Vining Donald M. 1984. Ortho’s Complete Guide to Successful Houseplants.)
Croton is an exotic looking plant that is grown in warm greenhouses or conservatory or as a houseplant.
(Powell, Charles C. and Vining Donald M. 1984. Ortho’s Complete Guide to Successful Houseplants.)
(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)
We currently have 22 herbarium specimens for Codiaeum variegatum in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.
