Croton laevigatus
Vahl
Euphorbiaceae
There has to be some doubt over the correct identity of this plant. It is based on a record in 'Mansfeld's World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops'[
], which records the uses and also records two synonyms (Croton roxburghii Balakr. and Croton oblongifolius Roxb.). Both of these are actually synonyms of Croton persimilis Müll.Arg. In addition, the native range quoted is wrong for this species (which is endemic to southern China) and much more in line with the range of Croton persimilis. I feel it is quite likely that the uses quoted here actually belong to Croton persimilis[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Oxydectes laevigata (Vahl) Kuntze
Common Name:
General Information
Croton laevigatus is a shrub or a small tree growing up to 15 metres tall[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and for its wood. It is cultivated as a rootstock and also sometimes grown for its medicinal uses in southern China.
Croton laevigatus has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
Range
E. Asia - southern China in Hainan.
Habitat
Dense or open forests at elevations up to 600 metres[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Tree |
| Height | 10.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Most Croton species are relatively indifferent to their habitat and can grow on a wide range of soils in both disturbed and undisturbed vegetation[
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The bark is used medicinally[
].
Other Uses
The plant is used as a rootstock for improving the growth of Croton sublyratus[
]. The name Croton sublyratus has often been used in error; the correct species is Croton stellatopilosus[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
The wood is used for posts[
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
