Lavender croton

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lavender Croton
• Lavender Feverberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oxydectes gratissima

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Croton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin and Burkina Faso. Additionally, its presence extends to the country of Gambia. The species is also documented to inhabit parts of Ghana. Finally, its geographical range includes the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Croton gratisimus is characterized by its ability to inhabit a broad vertical gradient across diverse landscapes, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying altitudinal conditions. This species thrives across an expansive elevational range, occupying habitats from as low as 5 m AMSL to altitudes reaching a maximum of 1950 m AMSL. This wide distribution suggests a tolerance for a variety of microclimates and soil types, allowing it to persist in both lowland tropical environments and higher-altitude montane regions. Such ecological plasticity enables the plant to colonize various ecological niches within its geographic range, facilitating its presence in diverse forest structures and disturbed sites alike.

Elevational range max:

1950 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Croton gratisimus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its conducting organs above the ground, though it can also be classified under the nanophanerophyte life form depending on the specific environmental context and height of its woody stems. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its leaves, which is a key component of its physiological cycle and adaptation to its habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton gratissimus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, functioning as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or vine. This independent, non-parasitic species is terrestrial in nature and exhibits significant variation in stature, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of approximately 15.24 m, maintaining an average height of about 10 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15.24018532 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Croton gratissimus is characterized by complex metabolic processes involving the synthesis and storage of various secondary metabolites, particularly diterpene esters and polyphenols, which serve as chemical defense mechanisms against herbivory. Its photosynthetic pathways are optimized for growth in diverse African landscapes, allowing for efficient carbon assimilation under varying light intensities. Regarding its nutritional interaction with the soil, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, typically found in leguminous species, and therefore relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen from the soil substrate. This absence of nitrogen-fixing capabilities means its physiological development and nitrogen assimilation are directly dependent on the availability of nitrate and ammonium ions within the immediate rhizosphere.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Croton gratissimus is characterized by specific morphological attributes of its seeds and fruits. The plant produces fruit that is classified as dry rather than fleshy, a trait that influences its dispersal mechanisms. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly uniform physical profile, with a consistent seed volume measured at exactly 28 mm³, representing both the minimum and maximum values as well as the mean volume. Furthermore, the seed mass is exceptionally stable, maintaining a constant value across the population with a minimum, maximum, and mean mass of 0.02717 g.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass mean:

0.02717 g

Seed volume max:

28 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Croton gratissimus 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. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Croton gratissimus has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-Methylumbelliferone glucuronide, 8-Prenylnaringenin, CATECHIN, Cembranolide, Flavonol 3-O-D-galactoside.

4-Methylumbelliferone glucuronide

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

8-Prenylnaringenin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CATECHIN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cembranolide

1. Phytochemistry

Flavonol 3-O-D-galactoside

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Gallic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Pheophorbide a

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Phlorizin

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Spirasine I

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

caffeic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Croton gratissimus has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Hepatoprotective.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Hepatoprotective

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Croton gratissimus has 19 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, HIV, Leishmania donovani.

Bacillus cereus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Candida albicans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cryptococcus neoformans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hiv

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Leishmania donovani

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Staphylococcus aureus

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Staphylococcus epidermidis

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Croton gratissimus has 9 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Esseniaal oils, Herbal Tea, acetone extracts, bark, herbal tea infusion.

Esseniaal oils

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Herbal tea

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Acetone extracts

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Herbal tea infusion

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf herbal tea

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Plant extracts

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Roots

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology