Codiaeum variegatum
Garden croton
Codiaeum variegatum, commonly known as Croton, is a striking ornamental plant celebrated for its vibrant, multicolored foliage. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this species holds significant value in traditional medicine, where its leaves are utilized for their various bioactive properties to treat ailments ranging from skin issues to digestive discomfort.
- Scientific name: Codiaeum variegatum
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Codiaeum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Codiaeum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Codiaeum variegatum, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 变叶木 (zh-hans), 變葉木 (zh-hant), and 變葉木 (zh-hk). In the Javanese language, it is commonly called Puring (jv), while in Sundanese, it is known as Katomas (su).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 变叶木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 變葉木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 變葉木 | Wikidata |
| jv | Puring | Wikidata |
| su | Katomas | Wikidata |
| ru | Кодиеум пёстрый | Wikidata |
| tr | Kroton | Wikidata |
| ms | Pokok Puding | Wikidata |
| fi | ihmepensas | Wikidata |
| to | Kolotoni | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several distinct tropical and subtropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, its presence can be documented in Gambia. Its distribution extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Moving toward the southern reaches, the species is found in South Tropical Africa within Mozambique. Finally, it is located in the Western Indian Ocean in Comoros and reaches East Asia in South-Central China.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Croton, utilizes its vibrant and diverse foliage as a primary component in various traditional medicinal practices. The leaves, which exhibit a wide array of colors and patterns, are often harvested to prepare decoctions or topical applications used to treat ailments such as skin irritations and inflammation. Because the foliage contains specific bioactive compounds, its careful preparation is essential for extracting the therapeutic properties required for healing.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| foliage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Codiaeum variegatum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cyanoglucoside, phorbol esters, terpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cyanoglucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phorbol esters | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Codiaeum variegatum has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiviral, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Codiaeum variegatum has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Entamoeba histolytica, amoebiasis, amoebic dysentery, free radicals, ulcers.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Entamoeba histolytica | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amoebiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amoebic dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| free radicals | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ulcers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |