Croton
Croton caudatus

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 2-3 m tall. It can be creeping. The leaves are 4-6 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. They are hairy underneath. The base is wedge shaped and there are some teeth or divisions along the edge.

It is considered a medicine.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In southern China it grows between 500-600 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves - juice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Agurdukha, Akar mendarong, Awle, Ran-lung-damdoi, Taung-salat

Synonyms

Croton aromaticus Gaertn. [Illegitimate]; Croton drupaceus Roxb.; And several others