TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Annual, perennial herb, shrub, tree, vine, monoecious or dioecious
Stem generally branched, sometimes fleshy or spiny
Leaves generally simple, alternate or opposite, generally stipuled, petioled; blade entire, toothed, or palmately lobed
Inflorescence: cyme, panicle, raceme, spike; flowers sometimes in clusters (dense, enclosed by involucre, flower-like in Chamaesyce, Euphorbia ), terminal or axillary
Flower unisexual, ± radial; sepals generally 35, free or fused; petals generally 0; stamens 1many, free or filaments fused; ovary superior, chambers 14, styles free or fused, simple or lobed
Fruit: generally capsule
Seeds 12 per chamber; seed scar appendage sometimes present, pad- to dome-like
Genera in family: 300 genera, 7500 species: ± worldwide especially tropical; some cultivated (Aleurites , tung oil; Euphorbia subsp.; Hevea , rubber; Ricinus )
Reference: [Webster 1967 J Arnold Arbor 48:303430]
Many species ± highly TOXIC .
Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Greek: solitary fruit)
Recent taxonomic note: *This genus now treated as Croton. [Webster 1992 Novon 2:269273]
Native |
Annual < 2 dm, < 8 dm wide, mound-like, monoecious; sap clear
Stem much-branched from base, spreading to ascending
Leaves simple, cauline, alternate; stipules vestigial; petiole 15 cm; blade 16 cm, ovate, base obtuse to wedge-shaped, margin entire, densely soft stellate-hairy, 3-veined, veins raised
Staminate inflorescence: cyme, terminal; pedicel 23 mm
Pistillate inflorescence axillary, below staminate inflorescence; flowers 13
Staminate flower: receptacle finely bristly; sepals 56; petals 0; stamens 610, free, exserted, filaments 1.52 mm; nectary 0
Pistillate flower: sepals and petals 0; glands below ovary 45; ovary 1-chambered, puberulent, style slender
Fruit ± 4 mm diam
Seed 1, 34 mm, smooth or ± ridged; scar not appendaged
Chromosomes: 2n=20.
Ecology: Dry, open, often disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1000 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province, w Desert
Distribution outside California: to Washington
Flowering time: MayOct
Seeds eaten by birds;herbage TOXIC to livestock, especially in hay
Recent taxonomic note: *Croton setigerus Hook.
Horticultural information: SUN, DRN: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; rather INV.