Rush Foil

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bonpland's croton

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oxydectes bonplandiana
• Oxydectes pauperula
• Croton nivifer
• Oxydectes sparsiflora
• Croton pauperulus
• Croton rivinoides
• Croton sparsiflorus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and falls under the genus Croton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in Africa and the Indian Ocean. In East Tropical Africa, it can be found within the borders of Kenya. Its presence extends significantly into the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits the island nation of Comoros. Additionally, the species is documented across multiple islands in this ocean, including Mauritius and Réunion. Finally, the plant's range also reaches the island of Rodrigues.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Croton bonplandianus is characterized by its adaptability to diverse topographical settings and specific Brazilian biomes. It thrives within the habitats of Cerrado (latu sensu) and Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, indicating a preference for seasonal tropical environments. The species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level at its minimum elevation of 0 m AMSL to a maximum of 500 m AMSL, though it maintains a significant mean elevational range of approximately 1300 m AMSL across its broader ecological footprint.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Croton bonplandianus is characterized by a flexible and resilient developmental strategy, manifesting as a variable lifecycle that can function as an annual, biennial, or perennial species depending on environmental conditions. In terms of its structural life form, the plant exhibits dual ecological classifications; it primarily operates as a therophyte, completing its life cycle via seeds that allow it to persist through unfavorable periods, while also displaying traits of a chamaephyte, where its buds are located close to the soil surface. This combination of life forms enables the plant to adapt to diverse habitats, ensuring survival through rapid seasonal growth and efficient reproductive cycles.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton bonplandianus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically presenting as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat rather than aquatic or semiaquatic. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a minimum height of 0.69 m and reaching a maximum height of approximately 1 m. As a non-woody herb, its structure is defined by these compact dimensions and its ability to remain upright without external support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.69 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Croton bonplandianus has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Conditions

Croton bonplandianus has 10 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, anti-oxidant, cancer.

Bacillus subtilis

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Escherichia coli

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Anti-oxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Cancer

1. Microscopy research and technique

Hemolysis

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Malaria

1. Microscopy research and technique

Obesity

1. Microscopy research and technique

Skin diseases

1. Microscopy research and technique

Ulcers

1. Microscopy research and technique

Preparations

Croton bonplandianus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include n-hexane soluble fraction.

N-hexane soluble fraction

1. Journal of Asian natural products research