Croton reflexifolius

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oxydectes reflexifolia
• Croton nudus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized 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 wide-ranging presence across various regions within Mexico. Specifically, its habitat extends through the central parts of Mexico Central. It can also be found growing in the areas categorized as Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. Furthermore, its distribution continues into the diverse landscapes of Mexico Southwest. Finally, the plant is documented to thrive within the region of Mexico Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Croton reflexifolius is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and ecological strategy, the species exhibits a dual classification within life form systems, functioning as a phanerophyte due to its elevated woody stems that protect its buds above the ground level. Additionally, it can be described as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting a specific growth habit where the woody structure remains relatively low or compact.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton reflexifolius is characterized by a woody growth habit, exhibiting a structural form that can be classified as both a tree and a herb depending on developmental stages or environmental conditions. It typically reaches a plant height with a mean of approximately 5 m. In terms of its climbing nature, the species is identified as self-supporting, lacking the obligatory or facultative tendencies of a vine or liana. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite and maintains a terrestrial lifestyle, growing in soil rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Croton reflexifolius is characterized by specific leaf economic traits and nutritional strategies that define its resource acquisition efficiency. The plant exhibits a consistent Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 279.9 mg/g, indicating a stable density of structural and metabolic components within its foliar tissue. Complementing this, the Specific Leaf Area (SLA) remains uniform across its measured range, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 147.66 cm²/g, suggesting a specialized leaf morphology optimized for a particular balance between light interception and water-use efficiency. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, Croton reflexifolius does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nitrogen availability to support its metabolic processes.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

279.9 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

147.66 cm²/g

Reproduction

Reproduction in Croton reflexifolius involves a diverse array of dispersal mechanisms that ensure the distribution of its seeds across various environmental niches. The plant exhibits an autochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning it possesses the intrinsic capability to discharge its seeds through its own mechanisms. This reproductive strategy is further characterized by a multi-faceted approach to seed movement, encompassing anemochorous (wind-dispersed), zoochorous (animal-dispersed), and hydrochorous (water-dispersed) modes. Additionally, the plant utilizes an unspecialized dispersal method, allowing it to adapt to varying ecological conditions by leveraging both biotic and abiotic vectors for seed propagation.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Croton reflexifolius has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Chemicals

Croton reflexifolius has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, DICHLOROMETHANE, Flavonoids, HEXANE, Hardwickiic acid.

Anthraquinones

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

DICHLOROMETHANE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Flavonoids

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

HEXANE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Hardwickiic acid

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Lignan

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Polyalthic acid

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Sterols

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Tannins

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Terpenoids

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Activities

Croton reflexifolius has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antifungal

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Antibacterial

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Antioxidant

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Conditions

Croton reflexifolius has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include gastric ulcer, gastritis.

Gastric ulcer

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Gastritis

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Preparations

Croton reflexifolius has 7 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extracts, extracts, herbal medicine, hexane extract, methanol extracts.

Aqueous extracts

1. Skin pharmacology and physiology

Extracts

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Herbal medicine

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Hexane extract

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Methanol extracts

1. Skin pharmacology and physiology

Stem bark of croton sylvaticus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stembark

1. Frontiers in pharmacology