Croton schiedeanus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oxydectes schiedeana
• Croton perobtusus

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 and is specifically identified by the genus Croton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several regions within Mexico and Central America. In Mexico, its presence is documented across the Northeast and throughout the Gulf regions. Furthermore, it can be found extending into the Southwest and Southeast parts of the country. Beyond the Mexican borders, the species also inhabits parts of Central America. Specifically, its range includes the nation of Belize.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Croton schiedeanus is characterized by a diverse range of forest environments and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species thrives in various tropical forest ecosystems, specifically inhabiting riparian forests or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme), and floodplain forests (Floresta de Várzea). Its vertical distribution is expansive, spanning an elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL, allowing it to adapt to both lowland and montane forest conditions.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Croton schiedeanus is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated stems, a structural strategy that allows it to thrive within its specific ecological niche. Furthermore, it exhibits an evergreen deciduousness pattern, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, which supports continuous metabolic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton schiedeanus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which is capable of reaching significant dimensions with an average height of 12 m and a maximum height of up to 20 m. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not utilize climbing mechanisms such as lianas or vines to ascend, and it grows as an independent entity without parasitic behavior.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Croton schiedeanus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. In terms of leaf structural composition, the plant exhibits a consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of 279.8 mg/g, with no observed variation between its minimum and maximum recorded values. Additionally, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen sources rather than symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation to meet its nutritional requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

279.8 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Croton schiedeanus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects, with specific evidence pointing to the involvement of bees as key pollinators. The resulting seeds exhibit notable morphological variability; they possess a mean seed length of 8.5 mm, with individual seed lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 30 mm. In terms of weight, the seed mass is highly consistent, with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.053 g, indicating a uniform seed mass across the observed population.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length mean:

8.5 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.053 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Croton schiedeanus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Croton schiedeanus has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypertensive, Vasodilator.

Antihypertensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Vasodilator

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

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

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology