Croton argyratus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oxydectes argyrata
• Oxydectes bicolor
• Croton argyratus var. brevipes
• Croton argyratus var. gracilis
• Croton argyratus var. hypoleucus
• Croton avellaneus
• Croton budopensis
• Croton maieuticus
• Croton pilargyros
• Croton tawaoensis
• Croton zollingeri

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae and the genus Croton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various regions within the Indo-China zone. Its presence can be noted throughout the diverse landscapes of Myanmar and Thailand. Additionally, it inhabits the coastal environments of the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. The species also finds a significant foothold within the territory of Vietnam. Collectively, these locations highlight the specific geographical range of Croton argylophilus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Croton argylanthus is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, a trait that complements its classification as a nanophanerophyte, indicating a growth habit where the stems remain relatively low to the ground compared to larger forest trees. Throughout its life cycle, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally, providing continuous vegetative activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton argylanthus is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, which can reach a significant stature with a mean height of approximately 20 m and a maximum recorded height of up to 18 m. As a terrestrial species, it is not aquatic or semiaquatic, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite, and it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a vine, liana, or any other form of climber. Its physical development is defined by its woody constitution, providing the structural integrity necessary to support its substantial height and tree-like habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Croton argylanthus is characterized by a metabolic framework consistent with standard dicotyledonous woody shrubs. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning carbon fixation occurs via the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells, which is typical for most species within the Euphorbiaceae family. Furthermore, Croton argylanthus is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and therefore relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate to meet its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Croton argyratus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Tropical biomedicine

Chemicals

Croton argyratus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include junceic acid.

junceic acid

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Conditions

Croton argyratus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include fever.

Fever

1. Tropical biomedicine

Preparations

Croton argyratus has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves extract.

Leaves extract

1. Tropical biomedicine