Status:
valid
Authors:
S.Moore
Source:
wcs
Year:
1895
Citation Micro:
Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. 4: 455 (1895)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000932265
Common Names
- Sanctae-Crucis Croton
- Sanctae-Crucis
- Sanctae-Crucis Croton Plant
Description
Croton sanctae-crucis (also called Croton Sanctae-Crucis, among many other common names) is a shrub or small tree, up to 6 m tall, with a single trunk and a rounded crown. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is found in dry forests, scrublands, and coastal areas.
Uses & Benefits
Croton sanctae-crucis is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, inflammation, and skin diseases. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a source of food for livestock.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flowers of Croton sanctae-crucis are small and yellow, with four petals. The seeds are small, black, and round. The seedlings are thin and delicate.
Cultivation and Propagation
Croton sanctae-crucis can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or air layering. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining soil mix and kept moist. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, mature plants and rooted in a moist soil mix. Air layering can be done by cutting a section of stem and wrapping it in moist sphagnum moss. The stem should be kept moist until roots form.
Where to Find Croton sanctae-crucis
Croton sanctae-crucis is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. It can be found in tropical and subtropical forests, as well as in disturbed habitats. It is also cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Species in the Croton genus
Croton acutifolius,
Croton aridus,
Croton arlineae,
Croton bigbendensis,
Croton corinthius,
Croton decalvatus,
Croton dissectistipulatus,
Croton faroensis,
Croton kongkandanus,
Croton mamillatus,
Croton megistocarpus,
Croton minimus,
Croton multicaulis,
Croton mutabilis,
Croton poomae,
Croton rarus,
Croton rosarianus,
Croton simulans,
Croton sousae,
Croton waterhouseae,
Croton araracuarae,
Croton gomezii,
Croton jorgei,
Croton nepalensis,
Croton atrostellatus,
Croton floccosus,
Croton longibracteatus,
Croton subasperrimum,
Croton yangchunensis,
Croton mayanus,
Croton chodatii,
Croton muellerianus,
Croton pygmaeus,
Croton imbricatus,
Croton carpostellatus,
Croton laceratoglandulosus,
Croton balsensis,
Croton leonis,
Croton revolutus,
Croton churutensis,
Croton alainii,
Croton maestrensis,
Croton microcarpus,
Croton campanulatus,
Croton jamaicensis,
Croton borbensis,
Croton heptalon,
Croton domatifer,
Croton stellatoferrugineus,
Croton thomasii,
Species in the Euphorbiaceae family
Acalypha peckoltii,
Acalypha peduncularis,
Acalypha pendula,
Acalypha perrieri,
Acalypha persimilis,
Acalypha peruviana,
Acalypha pervilleana,
Acalypha phleoides,
Acalypha phyllonomifolia,
Acalypha pilosa,
Acalypha pippenii,
Acalypha pittieri,
Acalypha platyphylla,
Acalypha pleiogyne,
Acalypha plicata,
Acalypha pohliana,
Acalypha poiretii,
Acalypha polymorpha,
Acalypha polystachya,
Acalypha portoricensis,
Acalypha pruinosa,
Acalypha pruriens,
Acalypha pseudalopecuroides,
Acalypha pseudovagans,
Acalypha psilostachya,
Acalypha pubiflora,
Acalypha pulchrespicata,
Acalypha punctata,
Acalypha purpurascens,
Acalypha purpusii,
Acalypha pycnantha,
Acalypha pygmaea,
Acalypha radians,
Acalypha radicans,
Acalypha radinostachya,
Acalypha radula,
Acalypha radula,
Acalypha rafaelensis,
Acalypha raivavensis,
Acalypha rapensis,
Acalypha reflexa,
Acalypha repanda,
Acalypha retifera,
Acalypha rhombifolia,
Acalypha rhomboidea,
Acalypha richardiana,
Acalypha riedeliana,
Acalypha rivularis,
Acalypha rottleroides,
Acalypha rubrinervis,