Silver croton tree
Croton argyratus

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 13-20 m tall. The trunk is 20-30 cm across but can be larger. The small branches have brown hairs. The leaves are simple and arranged in spirals. The lower surfaces have silvery hairs. The flowers are 4 mm across and greenish-white. The upper flowers are male and the lower flowers female. The fruit are 12 mm across and golden brown. They are capsules that split open. The seeds are small and smooth.

There are about 750-1200 Croton species. There are 450 in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical evergreen broad-leaved forest. It grows in hilly areas below 500 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Ba dau dac, Pohon banglut, Pohon dungun darat

Synonyms

Croton argyratus var. brevipes Mull.Arg.; and others