Codiaeum variegatum

(L.) Rumph. ex A. Juss.

Croton, Variegated Laurel

Euphorbiaceae Edible: Leaves, Vegetable Potential hazards — see below 42,357 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Codiaeum variegatum, commonly known as croton or variegated croton amongst many other names, is a species of plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. Initially described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, its native range is from Java east to Fiji, and from the Philippines south to Queensland, Australia. It is widely cultivated and has been introduced to many other countries.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-8 m high. The leaves vary in shape. They are oval and taper to the base. They are thick and leathery. Leaves can have a range of colours. They are 10-20 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. Flowers are separately male and female. The male flowers are in groups of 2-6 while the female flowers are single. The fruit is a capsule 0.6-0.8 cm across.

Edible Uses

The very young leaves of some varieties are eaten as a flavouring and are blanched for salads.

Traditional Uses

The very young leaves of some kinds are eaten as a flavouring. They are blanched for salads. Caution: It can be toxic or produce allergies.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are abortifacient, antiamoebic, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, antioxidant, emmenagogue, purgative and sedative. A decoction of the crushed leaves is used in the treatment of diarrhoea. Chewing three leaves and then swallowing the juice is used to stimulate menstrual flow, to induce an abortion or to facilitate parturition. The leafsap is drunk and also applied topically to treat a snake bite. The sap of the leaves, combined with coconut milk, is used in the treatment of syphylitic lesions. The young leaves, combined with Pandanus macroieacceretia, coconut milk and the root sap of Areca catechu, is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea. The green liquid from boiled leaves is used as a wash to ease fevers. The sap from the leaves or the bark is used to treat sores and fungal infections. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of gastric ulcers. The root, combined with betel nut (Areca catechu) is chewed as a treatment for stomachache and to give temporary relief from toothache. Studies have shown the leaves and shoots to be rich in alkaloids (most abundant), cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, cardenolides, flavenoids, steroids and phyllates. Phytochemical screening of six clone cultivars showed bioactive constituents that included alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavanoids, terpenes, steroid, phenol, saponins, tannins, phlobatannin and cardenolide, which suggests their use as antibacterial, antiamoebic and antifungal. In a study of 55 traditional medicinal plants in Cameroon, only the leaves extract of this species exhibited a clear antiamoebic activity that was more pronounced than the conventional treatment metronidazole. A study showed the latex to have a high molluscicidal activity against freshwater snails.

Known Hazards

As with the majority of the spurges, when broken or cut, every part of C. variegatum will "bleed" and drip a milky, caustic sap, eventually drying into a latex-like consistency. Care must be taken to avoid touching this latex, such as only handling the plant while wearing sufficiently protective gloves, as well as eye goggles or sunglasses. Generally, small, inadvertent drops of the sap on one's hands or skin will cause no ill effect in the majority of the population, provided it is promptly washed off using soapy, warm water—this may even be followed with the use of a hand sanitizer or even a mildly diluted isopropyl alcohol. However, direct contact between the sap of Euphorbiaceae and the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, genitals, or any open wound, is strongly discouraged and may result in unknown side effects. Complications stemming from sap contact may range from mild to extreme burning pain, itchiness, rash or temporary dulling of the senses; depending on the region of the body affected, this sensory reaction may include temporary or long-term complications with sight, hearing, taste, feeling or smell, among other issues. In certain sensitive-skinned individuals, contact with small amounts of the sap can cause contact dermatitis. The entire plant, including its bark, roots, inflorescences and foliage, is poisonous. The primary alkaloid present is the chemical compound 5-desoxyingenol. The plant contains an oil which is violently purgative and a suspected carcinogen. Consumption of the seeds can be fatal to children and even adults.

Distribution

A tropical plant. They do best in moist, humus-rich soil. It grows from sea level to 900 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Caroline Islands, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Fiji, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia*, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Micronesia, Myanmar, Niue, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Pan tropical, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Tip cuttings or air layering can be used. It can be used for hedges or living fences.

Propagation

Seed - Cuttings

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Notes

There are about 6-17 Codiaeum species. In Botanical Gardens in Slovenia presumably in a hot house.

Synonyms

Codiaeum chrysosticton Rumph. ex Spreng. [Illegitimate]Codiaeum variegatum (L.) BlumeCroton pictus Lodd.? Croton variegatus L.Crozophyla variegata (L.) Raf.Oxydectes variegata (L.) KuntzePhyllaurea variegata (L.) W. Wight

Also Known As

Bombay laurel, Hahali, Katomas, Koson, Leston puyitos, Paw-bye-la, Pisani kroton, Puding mas, Puding perak, Puring, Sasli, Tomas, Ywehla-kyet-hmi, Ywethla

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