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{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
{{taxobox
⚫ | image = Colpfl05.jpg
|name = ''Codiaeum variegatum''
⚫ | genus = Codiaeum
⚫ |image = Colpfl05.jpg
⚫ | species = variegatum
|regnum = ]ae
⚫ | authority = (]) ]
|unranked_divisio = ]
| synonyms = Many including
|unranked_classis = ]
* ''Codiaeum elegans'' G. Nicholson<ref>G. Nicholson Ill. Dict. Gard. 1: 352 1885</ref>
|unranked_ordo = ]
|ordo = ]
|familia = ]
⚫ |genus = '']''
⚫ |species = '''''C. variegatum'''''
|binomial = ''Codiaeum variegatum''
⚫ |binomial_authority = (]) ]
}} }}


'''''Codiaeum variegatum''''' ("garden croton" or "variegated croton"; syn. ''Croton variegatum'' L.) is a species of plant in the genus '']'', which is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae. It is native to ], ], ], and the western ] islands, growing in open forests and scrub.<ref name=flora>Flora of China: </ref><ref name=huxley>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening'' 1: 665. Macmillan.</ref> <ref>http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:apni.taxon:427826</ref> It is an evergreen shrub growing to 3 m tall and has large, thick, leathery, shiny evergreen leaves, alternately arranged, 5–30&nbsp;cm long and 0.5–8&nbsp;cm broad. The ]s are long racemes 8–30&nbsp;cm long, with male and female flowers on separate inflorescences; the male flowers are white with five small petals and 20–30 stamens, the female flowers yellowish, with no petals. The fruit is a capsule 9&nbsp;mm diameter, containing three 6&nbsp;mm seeds. The stems contain milky sap that bleeds from cut stems.<ref name=flora/><ref name=huxley/> '''''Codiaeum variegatum''''' ('''fire croton''', '''garden croton''', or '''variegated croton''', or simply ''''croton'''<nowiki/>'; syn. ''Croton variegatum'' <small>L.</small>) is a ] of '']'', a genus of ], in the ] (the spurge ]). Initially described by ] in ], it is native to ] and ], from ] and ] in the north through ], as well as many ] and ], growing in open forests and scrub.<ref name=flora>Flora of China: </ref><ref name=huxley>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening'' 1: 665. Macmillan.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:apni.taxon:427826 |title=Codiaeum variegatum var. Moluccanum &#124; Atlas of Living Australia |access-date=2015-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002114123/http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:apni.taxon:427826 |archive-date=2015-10-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The garden crotons should not be confused with '']'', a cosmopolitan genus also in the Euphorbiaceae, containing more than 700 species of herbs, shrubs and trees. The ''Codiaeums''<nowiki/>' commonly-used name of "croton" should not be confused with '']'', a separate genus—also within the ]—which contains more than 700 species of ] ], ] and ].

==Description==
''Codiaeum variegatum'' is an ] and ] tropical ] growing to {{convert|3|m|abbr=on}} tall, with thick, somewhat "leathery" and shiny, alternately-arranged ]. The foliage may measure anywhere from {{convert|5–30|cm|abbr=on}} long by {{convert|0.5–8|cm|abbr=on}} broad. The shape of mature leaves may appear diamond- or teardrop-shaped—even ]-like—or ruler-lanceolate, ], ], elliptical, ovate-inverted, ovate-spatulate. The species is known for its vividly coloration (especially in higher sunlight), displaying almost "]"-like patterns of green, yellow and purple, in varying hues and intensity, depending on variety. The ] has a length of 0.2 to 2.5 cm. Similarly to other ], the ]s are long ], {{convert|8–30|cm|abbr=on}} long, with male and female flowers separated. Male flowers are white, with five small ] and 20–30 ]. The ] are oval in shape and approximately 52x32 ] in size. The female flowers are yellowish and lacking petals. The blooming period is usually in early autumn, depending on location. The inedible and toxic fruit (for most ]) is a capsule measuring roughly {{convert|9|mm|abbr=on}} in ], containing three seeds of {{convert|6|mm|abbr=on}} diameter.

When broken or cut, every part of ''C. variegatum'' will "bleed" and drip a milky, caustic sap, eventually drying into a ]-like consistency, as is typical of the ].<ref name="flora" /><ref name="huxley" /><ref>Bingtao Li & Michael G. Gilbert: Codiaeum in the Flora of China , Volume 11, 2008, p. 268</ref> Care must be taken to avoid touching this latex (i.e., only gardening while wearing thick, protective gloves, and eye or ]).
]


==Cultivation== ==Cultivation==
].]] ].]]
In tropical climates, crotons make attractive hedges and potted patio specimens, valued for their striking foliage. They only survive outdoors where temperatures do not normally drop below 10° to 13°C in winter; colder temperatures can cause leaf loss.<ref name=huxley/> In colder climates, the plants are grown in greenhouses or as house plants. The cultivated garden crotons are usually smaller than the wild plant, rarely over 1.8 m tall, and come in a wide diversity of leaf shapes and colours. They are sometimes grouped under the name ''Codiaeum variegatum'' var. ''pictum'' (Lodd.) Müll. Arg.,<ref name=huxley/> though this is not botanically distinct from the species and usually treated as a synonym of it.<ref name=flora/> In tropical climates, crotons make attractive hedges and potted patio specimens, valued for their striking foliage. They only survive outdoors where temperatures do not normally drop below {{Convert|10 to 13|C|F|abbr=|sp=us}} in winter; colder temperatures can cause leaf loss.<ref name=huxley/> In colder climates, the plants are grown in greenhouses or as house plants. The cultivated garden crotons are usually smaller than the wild plant, rarely over {{Convert|1.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, and come in a wide diversity of leaf shapes and colours. They are sometimes grouped under the name ''Codiaeum variegatum'' var. ''pictum'' (Lodd.) Müll. Arg.,<ref name=huxley/> though this is not botanically distinct from the species and usually treated as a synonym of it.<ref name=flora/>


===Cultivars===
⚫ ], India.]]
⚫ The several hundred ]s are selected and bred for their foliage. Depending on the cultivar, the leaves may be ovate to linear, entire to deeply lobed or crinkled, and variegated with green, white, purple, orange, yellow, red, or pink. The colour patterns may follow the veins or the margins, or be in blotches on the leaf. Popular cultivars include 'Spirale', which has spirally twisted red and green leaves; 'Andreanum', which has broadly oval yellow leaves with gold veins and margins; 'Majesticum', which has pendulous branches, with linear leaves up to {{Convert|25|cm|in|abbr=on|sp=us}} long with ] veins yellow maturing to red; and 'Aureo-maculatum', which has leaves spotted with yellow.<ref name=huxley/>


==Toxicity==
⚫ There are several hundred ]s, selected and bred for their foliage. Depending on the cultivar, the leaves may be ovate to linear, entire to deeply lobed or crinkled, and variegated with green, white, purple, orange, yellow, red or pink. The colour patterns may follow the veins, the margins or be in blotches on the leaf. Popular cultivars include 'Spirale' which has spirally-twisted red and green leaves; 'Andreanum' which has broadly oval yellow leaves with gold veins and margins; 'Majesticum' which has pendulous branches, with linear leaves up to 25&nbsp;cm long with midrib veins yellow maturing to red; and 'Aureo-maculatum' which has leaves spotted with yellow.<ref name=huxley/>
As with the majority of the spurges, when broken or cut, every part of ''C. variegatum'' will "bleed" and drip a milky, caustic sap, eventually drying into a ]-like consistency.<ref name="flora2">Flora of China: </ref><ref name="huxley2">Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening'' 1: 665. Macmillan.</ref><ref>Bingtao Li & Michael G. Gilbert: Codiaeum in the Flora of China , Volume 11, 2008, p. 268</ref> Care must be taken to avoid touching this latex, such as only handling the plant while wearing sufficiently protective gloves, as well as eye goggles or ]. Generally, small, inadvertent drops of the sap on one's hands or skin will cause no ill effect in the majority of the population, provided it is promptly washed off using soapy, warm water—this may even be followed with the use of a ] or even a mildly diluted ]. However, direct contact between the sap of ] and the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, genitals, or any open wound, is strongly discouraged and may result in unknown side effects. Complications stemming from sap contact may range from mild to extreme burning pain, itchiness, rash or temporary dulling of the senses; depending on the region of the body affected, this sensory reaction may include temporary or long-term complications with sight, hearing, taste, feeling or smell, among other issues. In certain sensitive-skinned individuals, contact with small amounts of the sap can cause ].<ref>Occupational contact dermatitis due to croton (Codiaeum variegatum (L.) A. Juss var. pictum (Lodd.) Muell. Arg.). Sensitization by plants of the Euphorbiaceae. ''Contact Dermatitis'' 1977 Dec. 3(6): 289-92. .</ref> The entire plant, including its bark, roots, inflorescences and foliage, is poisonous.<ref name=ntbg>National Tropical Botanical Garden {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719181842/http://www.ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?rid=886&plantid=3097 |date=2011-07-19 }}</ref> The primary alkaloid present is the ] 5-desoxyingenol.<ref name=ntbg/> The plant contains an oil which is violently ] and a suspected ].<ref name=novascotia>{{cite web |url=https://novascotia.ca/museum/poison/?section=species&id=80 | publisher = Nova Scotia Museum | title = Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107024807/https://novascotia.ca/museum/poison/?section=species&id=80 |archive-date=2017-11-07 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Consumption of the seeds can be fatal to children and even adults.<ref name=novascotia/>


==Precautions== ==Gallery==
<gallery>
As with many of the Euphorbiaceae, the sap is toxic and can cause skin ] in some people. It is also toxic if eaten, though in small quantities, it has been used in herbal medicine to treat gastric ulcers.<ref>National Tropical Botanical Garden </ref><ref>Occupational contact dermatitis due to croton (Codiaeum variegatum (L.) A. Juss var. pictum (Lodd.) Muell. Arg.). Sensitization by plants of the Euphorbiaceae. ''Contact Dermatitis'' 1977 Dec. 3(6): 289-92. .</ref><ref>Ogunwenmo, K. O. et al. (2007). Cultivars of Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Blume (Euphorbiaceae) show variability in phytochemical and cytological characteristics. ''African Journal of Biotechnology'' 6 (20): 2400-2405. .</ref>
File:Codiaeum variegatum in Miyako-jima, Okinawa Prefecture DSC 7928.jpg|''C. variegatum'' in ''{{lang|ja-latn|]|italic=no}}'', Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
File:Codiaeum variegatum in Miyako-jima, Okinawa Prefecture IMG 4556.jpg|''C. variegatum'' in ''{{lang|ja-latn|Miyako-jima|italic=no}}'', Okinawa Prefecture
⚫ File:Codiaeum variegatum.jpg|Completely yellow leaves on a specimen in ], India
File:Croton Petra.jpg|Croton 'Petra' in a botanical garden
File:Starr 030702-0039 Codiaeum variegatum.jpg|Narrow-leaved variety
File:Colpfl11a.jpg|A green-yellow variegated variety
File:Codiaeum variegatum - female flowers - Kroton 002.jpg|Female flowers
File:Starr 070111-3131 Codiaeum variegatum.jpg|Young fruits
</gallery>


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


{{Taxonbar|from=Q1345646}}
==See also==
*]


] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 20:22, 7 July 2024

Species of plant

Codiaeum variegatum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Codiaeum
Species: C. variegatum
Binomial name
Codiaeum variegatum
(L.) A.Juss.
Synonyms

Many including

  • Codiaeum elegans G. Nicholson

Codiaeum variegatum (fire croton, garden croton, or variegated croton, or simply 'croton'; syn. Croton variegatum L.) is a species of Codiaeum, a genus of flowering plants, in the Euphorbiaceae (the spurge family). Initially described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, it is native to Australasia and Oceania, from Malaysia and Indonesia in the north through northeastern Australia, as well as many Southeast Asian and South Pacific islands, growing in open forests and scrub.

The Codiaeums' commonly-used name of "croton" should not be confused with Croton, a separate genus—also within the spurge family—which contains more than 700 species of cosmopolitan herbs, shrubs and trees.

Description

Codiaeum variegatum is an evergreen and monoecious tropical shrub growing to 3 m (9.8 ft) tall, with thick, somewhat "leathery" and shiny, alternately-arranged leaves. The foliage may measure anywhere from 5–30 cm (2.0–11.8 in) long by 0.5–8 cm (0.20–3.15 in) broad. The shape of mature leaves may appear diamond- or teardrop-shaped—even violin-like—or ruler-lanceolate, lanceolate, oblong, elliptical, ovate-inverted, ovate-spatulate. The species is known for its vividly coloration (especially in higher sunlight), displaying almost "tie-dye"-like patterns of green, yellow and purple, in varying hues and intensity, depending on variety. The petiole has a length of 0.2 to 2.5 cm. Similarly to other euphorbs, the inflorescences are long racemes, 8–30 cm (3.1–11.8 in) long, with male and female flowers separated. Male flowers are white, with five small petals and 20–30 stamens. The pollens are oval in shape and approximately 52x32 microns in size. The female flowers are yellowish and lacking petals. The blooming period is usually in early autumn, depending on location. The inedible and toxic fruit (for most mammals) is a capsule measuring roughly 9 mm (0.35 in) in diameter, containing three seeds of 6 mm (0.24 in) diameter.

When broken or cut, every part of C. variegatum will "bleed" and drip a milky, caustic sap, eventually drying into a latex-like consistency, as is typical of the Euphorbiaceae. Care must be taken to avoid touching this latex (i.e., only gardening while wearing thick, protective gloves, and eye or sunglasses).

Pollen

Cultivation

Male inflorescence on a plant in Hyderabad, India.

In tropical climates, crotons make attractive hedges and potted patio specimens, valued for their striking foliage. They only survive outdoors where temperatures do not normally drop below 10 to 13 °C (50 to 55 °F) in winter; colder temperatures can cause leaf loss. In colder climates, the plants are grown in greenhouses or as house plants. The cultivated garden crotons are usually smaller than the wild plant, rarely over 1.8 m (5.9 ft) tall, and come in a wide diversity of leaf shapes and colours. They are sometimes grouped under the name Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum (Lodd.) Müll. Arg., though this is not botanically distinct from the species and usually treated as a synonym of it.

Cultivars

The several hundred cultivars are selected and bred for their foliage. Depending on the cultivar, the leaves may be ovate to linear, entire to deeply lobed or crinkled, and variegated with green, white, purple, orange, yellow, red, or pink. The colour patterns may follow the veins or the margins, or be in blotches on the leaf. Popular cultivars include 'Spirale', which has spirally twisted red and green leaves; 'Andreanum', which has broadly oval yellow leaves with gold veins and margins; 'Majesticum', which has pendulous branches, with linear leaves up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long with midrib veins yellow maturing to red; and 'Aureo-maculatum', which has leaves spotted with yellow.

Toxicity

As with the majority of the spurges, when broken or cut, every part of C. variegatum will "bleed" and drip a milky, caustic sap, eventually drying into a latex-like consistency. Care must be taken to avoid touching this latex, such as only handling the plant while wearing sufficiently protective gloves, as well as eye goggles or sunglasses. Generally, small, inadvertent drops of the sap on one's hands or skin will cause no ill effect in the majority of the population, provided it is promptly washed off using soapy, warm water—this may even be followed with the use of a hand sanitizer or even a mildly diluted isopropyl alcohol. However, direct contact between the sap of Euphorbiaceae and the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, genitals, or any open wound, is strongly discouraged and may result in unknown side effects. Complications stemming from sap contact may range from mild to extreme burning pain, itchiness, rash or temporary dulling of the senses; depending on the region of the body affected, this sensory reaction may include temporary or long-term complications with sight, hearing, taste, feeling or smell, among other issues. In certain sensitive-skinned individuals, contact with small amounts of the sap can cause contact dermatitis. The entire plant, including its bark, roots, inflorescences and foliage, is poisonous. The primary alkaloid present is the chemical compound 5-desoxyingenol. The plant contains an oil which is violently purgative and a suspected carcinogen. Consumption of the seeds can be fatal to children and even adults.

Gallery

  • C. variegatum in Miyako-jima, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan C. variegatum in Miyako-jima, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
  • C. variegatum in Miyako-jima, Okinawa Prefecture C. variegatum in Miyako-jima, Okinawa Prefecture
  • Completely yellow leaves on a specimen in Kolkata, India Completely yellow leaves on a specimen in Kolkata, India
  • Croton 'Petra' in a botanical garden Croton 'Petra' in a botanical garden
  • Narrow-leaved variety Narrow-leaved variety
  • A green-yellow variegated variety A green-yellow variegated variety
  • Female flowers Female flowers
  • Young fruits Young fruits

References

  1. G. Nicholson Ill. Dict. Gard. 1: 352 1885
  2. ^ Flora of China: Codiaeum variegatum
  3. ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening 1: 665. Macmillan.
  4. "Codiaeum variegatum var. Moluccanum | Atlas of Living Australia". Archived from the original on 2015-10-02. Retrieved 2015-06-15.
  5. Bingtao Li & Michael G. Gilbert: Codiaeum in the Flora of China , Volume 11, 2008, p. 268
  6. Flora of China: Codiaeum variegatum
  7. Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening 1: 665. Macmillan.
  8. Bingtao Li & Michael G. Gilbert: Codiaeum in the Flora of China , Volume 11, 2008, p. 268
  9. Occupational contact dermatitis due to croton (Codiaeum variegatum (L.) A. Juss var. pictum (Lodd.) Muell. Arg.). Sensitization by plants of the Euphorbiaceae. Contact Dermatitis 1977 Dec. 3(6): 289-92. abstract.
  10. ^ National Tropical Botanical Garden Codiaeum variegatum (Euphorbiaceae) Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum)". Nova Scotia Museum. Archived from the original on 2017-11-07.
Taxon identifiers
Codiaeum variegatum
Croton variegatus
Categories: