Croton argyratus

Blume

Silver croton tree

Euphorbiaceae Edible: Leaves - tea 8 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

An evergreen tree. It grows 13-20 m tall. The trunk is 20-30 cm across but can be larger. The small branches have brown hairs. The leaves are simple and arranged in spirals. The lower surfaces have silvery hairs. The flowers are 4 mm across and greenish-white. The upper flowers are male and the lower flowers female. The fruit are 12 mm across and golden brown. They are capsules that split open. The seeds are small and smooth.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used to make tea.

Medicinal Uses

A decoction of the leaves is used as a treatment for diarrhoea, ulcers and fever, and is also given after childbirth, and used for medicinal baths. An infusion of the roots is used as a treatment for thrush. The roots can be applied externally as a treatment against ulcers.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical evergreen broad-leaved forest. It grows in hilly areas below 500 m altitude.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Propagation

Seed - about 45% germination can be expected in 22 - 73 days.

Other Uses

The seeds yield an oil that is used in lamps. The pale-coloured wood is heavy, hard and seasons well. It is used for poles in house construction and for agricultural implements like tool handles. The wood is a valuable firewood. The plant is sometimes used for live fences.

Notes

There are about 750-1200 Croton species. There are 450 in tropical America.

Synonyms

Croton argyratus var. brevipes Mull.Arg.and others

Also Known As

Ba dau dac, Pohon banglut, Pohon dungun darat

References (5)

Forest Inventory and Planning Institute, 1996, Vietnam Forest Trees. Agriculture Publishing House p 207
Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 245
Slik, F., www.asianplant.net
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 214
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew