Croton aromaticus
L.
Euphorbiaceae
Aleurites laccifer (L.) Willd.
Cascarilla aromatica (L.) Raf.
Croton laccifer L.
Oxydectes aromatica (L.) Kuntze
Oxydectes laccifera (L.) Kuntze
Common Name:
General Information
Croton aromaticus is a shrub or a small tree growing up to 3 metres tall[
1033- Title
- Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants of Sri Lanka
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.instituteofayurveda.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent site and comprehensive information resource, still being developed (2016), detailing the Ayurvedic medicinal uses of the plants of Sri Lanka
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. The plant has also shown insecticidal and fungicidal activity.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
E. Asia - India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
Habitat
; at elevations up to 900 metres[
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 2.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | 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.
].
The plant is aromatic[
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.
,
387- Title
- Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Watt. G.
- Publisher
- Government of India: Calcutta.
- Year
- 1883
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Most Croton species grow fast.. In areas without a pronounced dry season Croton can be found flowering and fruiting throughout the year[
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.
]
Most Croton species are relatively indifferent to their habitat and they are found on a wide range of soils in 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.
].
The leaves when withering turn a bright brick-red colour ; they are very slightly aromatic[
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The plant is used medicinally[
387- Title
- Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Watt. G.
- Publisher
- Government of India: Calcutta.
- Year
- 1883
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Used as an aromatic tonic[
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.
].
The leaves, stems and roots are used in the treatment of conditions such as bronchitis, diarrhoea, dysentery, fevers and malaria[
1033- Title
- Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants of Sri Lanka
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.instituteofayurveda.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent site and comprehensive information resource, still being developed (2016), detailing the Ayurvedic medicinal uses of the plants of Sri Lanka
].
Other Uses
Cyperenoic acid and hardwickiic acid have been isolated from the roots, and have displayed moderate insecticidal activity[
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.
].
Leaf extracts of the plant have shown antifungal activity against a range of post-harvest fungal pathogens. Use of the extract has been shown to extend the storage time of bananas by about 14 days.
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
