Croton leucophyllus
Croton setigerus
two-color croton
dove weed, fish poison, turkey mullein
densely and dichotomously shortly branched, forming loose, prostrate circular mats 5–80 cm across, proximally bristly stellate-hairy, central radii spreading, 2–3 mm.
mostly clustered near inflorescences;
stipules rudimentary;
petiole 0.3–5 cm, glands absent at apex;
blade ovate to rhombic, 0.8–6.5 × 0.8–4 cm, base cuneate, margins entire, apex obtuse, abaxial surface pale grayish green, adaxial surface grayish green, both densely stellate-hairy.
unisexual;
staminate dense capitate clusters, 1–2 cm, flowers 2–10;
pistillate clusters, 1–2 cm, flowers 1–3.
staminate 0–1 mm, pistillate absent.
sepals 5–6, 2–2.5 mm, abaxial surface densely stellate-hairy;
petals 0;
stamens 5–9.
sepals 0;
petals 0;
ovary 1-locular;
style 1, 2–3 mm, unbranched.
follicular (1-seeded), 3–6 × 2–3 mm, smooth;
columella absent.
3–5 × 2–3 mm, shiny.
= 20.
Croton leucophyllus
Croton setigerus
Varieties 2 (1 in the flora).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Croton setigerus is nearly unique in the genus with its one-locular fruit, single unbranched style, and pistillate flowers devoid of any perianth. The foliage is toxic to animals, and the crushed plants were used by Native Americans to stupefy fish. The seeds are palatable to birds, giving rise to the common names cited above. Individual plants produce either mottled, striped, or solid gray or black seeds. Gray seeds are produced by desiccating plants and appear to be much less palatable to doves than the other color morphs (A. D. Cook et al. 1971).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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