Croton caudatus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Croton racemosus
• Croton sumatranus
• Oxydectes caudata
• Croton caudatus var. ruminatus
• Oxydectes denticulata
• Croton caudatus var. malaccanus
• Oxydectes sumatrana
• Croton caudatus var. hispidus
• Croton caudatus var. oblongifolius
• Croton caudatus var. globosus
• Croton caudatus var. obovoideus
• Croton caudatus var. tomentosus
• Croton caudatus var. denticulatus
• Croton caudatus var. harmandii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, falling into the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Croton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range primarily concentrated within Asia. In China, it is found throughout the South-Central regions. Its distribution extends significantly into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in India and Bangladesh. Furthermore, it can be located in the specialized ecological zone of the East Himalaya. Finally, the species is also noted to grow within the Assam region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Croton caudatus is characterized by its specific distribution across various altitudinal gradients, indicating an adaptability to diverse topographical settings. This species typically flourishes within an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 200 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains an average elevational presence of approximately 550 m AMSL, suggesting that it is most frequently encountered in mid-to-low altitude ecosystems. This vertical distribution pattern dictates the specific climatic and environmental conditions, such as temperature fluctuations and moisture availability, to which the species has specialized to thrive.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Croton caudatus is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth habit and positioning within the environment, the species exhibits dual life form classifications, functioning as a phanerophyte, where its buds are elevated on visible stems above the ground level, while also displaying traits associated with nanophanerophyte characteristics. This combination of life forms suggests a robust growth strategy that enables the plant to navigate its habitat with a perennial lifecycle, ensuring long-term survival and reproductive continuity.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton caudatus is characterized by its woody structure and a growth form that can range from a shrub to a tree. This plant is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing habits such as vines or lianas. The height of the plant varies, typically reaching a minimum of 2 m, with a mean height of approximately 2.25 m, and a maximum recorded height of up to 3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.25 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Croton caudatus is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and its metabolic interaction with soil nutrients. The leaves exhibit a distinct size range, with a minimum length of 4 cm and a maximum length reaching 6 cm, resulting in a calculated mean leaf length of 5 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 3.5 cm and a maximum of 4.5 cm. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for its growth.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Croton caudatus is characterized by its specific inflorescence and fruit dimensions. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.08 m to a maximum of 0.16 m. Following successful pollination, the development of the fruit is marked by a highly consistent width; measurements indicate that the fruit width is uniform, with a minimum, mean, and maximum value all recorded at 0.1 cm.

Fruit width max:

0.1 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.16 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.08 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Croton caudatus has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Dodec-3-en-1-ol, Hexatriacontan-1-ol, OCTACOSANOIC ACID, Tricosan-1-ol, henicosan-1-ol.

(E)-Dodec-3-en-1-ol

1. Natural product research

Hexatriacontan-1-ol

1. Natural product research

OCTACOSANOIC ACID

1. Natural product research

Tricosan-1-ol

1. Natural product research

henicosan-1-ol

1. Natural product research

Activities

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

Anticancer

1. Natural product research

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Croton caudatus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancers.

Cancers

1. Natural product research