weeping blood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• weeping blood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Croton panamensis
• Cyclostigma denticulatum
• Cyclostigma draco
• Oxydectes draco
• Croton draco subsp. panamensis
• Oxydectes panamensis
• Croton callistanthus
• Croton steyermarkianus
• Croton triumfettoides
• Cyclostigma panamense

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized into 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 widespread presence across several distinct regions of Mexico. It can be found growing throughout the central parts of Mexico Central. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the varied landscapes of Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. The species is also documented in the western reaches of Mexico Northwest. Finally, its geographical range includes the diverse environments of Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Croton draco is characterized by its adaptability to a broad altitudinal gradient, allowing it to colonize diverse landscapes across varying topographic profiles. This species thrives within an elevational range that extends from sea level up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. By occupying this span from 0 m AMSL to 1000 m AMSL, the plant can interface with different microclimates, ranging from lowland tropical or subtropical environments to slightly higher, more temperate mid-elevation zones. This wide distribution suggests a resilience to varying levels of humidity, temperature fluctuations, and soil compositions typically found across these shifting elevations.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Croton draco is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its structural life form, the species is identified as a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte designations, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches. This growth habit allows the plant to maintain a stable presence in its ecosystem over a long duration, utilizing its elevated buds to survive seasonal environmental changes.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton draco is characterized by a woody growth form, manifesting primarily as a substantial tree. It reaches a significant stature, with a mean plant height of approximately 15 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining firmly rooted in the ground. The plant is structurally self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent existence without the need for a host, meaning it is not a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Croton draco is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant performs initial carbon fixation through the enzyme Rubisco, making its photosynthetic efficiency highly dependent on ambient temperature and CO2 concentrations. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Croton draco is characterized by the development of fruit that exhibits a dry texture, contrasting with fleshy varieties found in other species. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent morphology, maintaining a uniform seed volume across the population. Specifically, the seed volume is measured at a constant value, with a minimum, maximum, and mean volume all calculated at exactly 22 mm³. This precise standardization in seed size suggests a highly stable reproductive mechanism within the species.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed volume max:

22 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Croton draco has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,4,5-Trimethoxycinnamyl alcohol, Clerodanes, Phorbol ester, Taspine, p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde.

3,4,5-Trimethoxycinnamyl alcohol

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Clerodanes

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Phorbol ester

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Taspine

1. Revista de biologia tropical

p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde

1. Revista de biologia tropical

p-Methoxybenzoic acid

1. Revista de biologia tropical

scopoletin

1. Revista de biologia tropical