Croton

Common Name: Croton
Species Name: Croton spp
Plant Type: Forb
Family Name: Euphorbiaceae, Spurge Family


Plant Facts
Origin	Native
Duration	Annual
Distribution in the U.S.	From the Dakotas, Wyoming, and Utah south to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and northern Mexico
Distribution in Oklahoma	Western half of the state

ID Characteristics

Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- 1 or 2 leaves at each branching of stem
- Leaves coated in rough, fuzzy texture; shape is oblong and elliptical
- No branching below, wide and sometimes numerous branches above
Floral
- Flower heads generally noticeable and white
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Leaf Type: Simple
- Leaf Arrangement: Alternate but whorled just below inflorescences
- Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
- Stipules: Present
Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: Absent
- Flower Timing: June-October
- Fruit Type: Capsular schizocarps