Croton setigerus
Croton pottsii
dove weed, fish poison, turkey mullein
leatherweed, leatherweed croton
densely and dichotomously shortly branched, forming loose, prostrate circular mats 5–80 cm across, proximally bristly stellate-hairy, central radii spreading, 2–3 mm.
several from base, sparsely branched distally, stellate-hairy.
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.
sometimes clustered near inflorescences;
stipules rudimentary;
petiole 0.5–2 cm, glands absent at apex;
blade ovate-oblong, proximal rounder, distal more ovate-elliptic, 1–6 × 1–3 cm, base rounded, margins entire, apex rounded to acute, both surfaces pale to ashy green, softly stellate-hairy.
unisexual;
staminate dense capitate clusters, 1–2 cm, flowers 2–10;
pistillate clusters, 1–2 cm, flowers 1–3.
bisexual or unisexual, racemes, 0.5–2.5 cm, staminate and pistillate flowers each (12–)20–25.
staminate 0–1 mm, pistillate absent.
staminate 1.5–6 mm, pistillate 1–3.5 mm, ± recurved in fruit.
sepals 5–6, 2–2.5 mm, abaxial surface densely stellate-hairy;
petals 0;
stamens 5–9.
sepals (4–)5, 1–1.5 mm, abaxial surface densely stellate-hairy;
petals (4–)5, oblong-lanceolate, 1–1.3 mm, abaxial surface glabrous except margins villous;
stamens 10–15.
sepals 0;
petals 0;
ovary 1-locular;
style 1, 2–3 mm, unbranched.
sepals 5, equal, 1.5–3 mm, margins entire, apex straight to slightly incurved, abaxial surface glabrous except stellate-hairy at apex;
petals 0;
ovary 3-locular;
styles 3, 0.5–4.5 mm, 2-fid to base, terminal segments 6.
follicular (1-seeded), 3–6 × 2–3 mm, smooth;
columella absent.
4–6(–7) × 4–5 mm, smooth;
columella apex with 3 sharp projections.
3–5 × 2–3 mm, shiny.
3.5–4 × 2–2.5 mm, shiny.
= 20.
= 20.
Croton setigerus
Croton pottsii
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.)
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
The affinities of Croton pottsii lie with C. lindheimerianus and C. monanthogynus.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Stems straight; erect radii of stellate hairs shorter than lateral radii, thus pubescence appearing appressed and smooth; leaf blades 1.6–6 cm; racemes mostly 1.1–2.5 cm; styles 1.1–4.5 mm; capsules 4–6(–7) mm. | var. pottsii |
1. Stems somewhat zigzag; erect radii of stellate hairs longer than lateral radii, thus pubescence appearing ± shaggy; leaf blades usually 1–1.4 cm; racemes mostly 0.5–0.9 cm; styles usually 0.5–1 mm; capsules 4 mm. | var. thermophilus |
CA
OR
WA
Flora NW
PNW Herbaria
WildflowerSearch
iNaturalist
USDA Plants Database
