Gulf croton
Croton punctatus
Family Euphorbiaceae - emergent vegetation
Distinguishing Characteristics |
Emergent vegetation, small shrub; leaves grayish green, fuzzy, round or oval in shape, terminal end broadly or narrowly rounded or somewhat pointed, margins slightly reddish; minute hairs on stems and leaves, hairs star-shaped with clear to reddish centers (seen under magnification); stems woody, erect; flowers in small clusters, light green. |
Similar Species |
The gray-green fuzzy leaves and stems help distinguish the croton from other plants. The wooly tidestromia, Tidestromia lanuginosa, has fuzzy leaves, but their color is distinctly lighter than croton leaves. |
Habitat |
Sand dunes |
Maximum Size |
183 cm (6 ft) |
Other Common Names |
silverleaf croton, beach-tea |
Previous Scientific Names |
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