Croton pseudopulchellus

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Croton pseudopulchellus Pax

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Common names: small lavender fever-berry (Eng.); kleinlaventelkoorsbessie, sandkoorsbessie (Afr.); uHubeshane (isiZulu)

SA Tree No: 329.3

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Introduction

A pale white/yellow-flowered, shrubby, perennial plant with a sweet smell that attracts many insects.

Flowers and leaves

Description

Croton pseudopulchellus is a perennial shrub, usually growing up to 4 m tall. The bark is grey, smooth to roughish; branchlets are reddish-brown covered with hairy scales.

The leaves are alternate or subopposite, clustered near the ends of branchlets, lanceolate to elliptic, about 60 mm long and 40 mm wide, often with a fine point. The upper surface is shiny, dark green, pale or silvery white below, covered with reddish scales; the leaf stalk is up to 20 mm long.

Underside of leaves

The flowers of C. pseudopulchellus are produced in short, compact heads about 12 mm long, at the ends of branches, small and yellow in colour, with male and female flowers in the same head. Flowering time is from October to February.

Flowers

The fruit is a capsule, trilocular (with three compartments), dehiscent (opening spontaneously when ripe), covered with yellow-grey hairy scales. Fruiting time is from December to June.

Conservation Status

Status

Although Croton pseudopulchellus is used in African medicine, it is declared as a Least Concern plant in the Red List of South African plants.

Distribution and habitat

Distribution description

Croton is a genus of about 800 species, mostly pantropical. The majority of species are American. In Africa, 26 species are found in the tropics, extending into the subtropics, mostly to the southern hemisphere and about 11 of these species are well-known in southern Africa, of which 10 are confined to South Africa.

Croton pseudopulchellus is distributed in tropical East and West Africa, and descends to southern Africa. The species is found in the north-eastern regions of South Africa along the coastal belt and along rivers and streams, from KwaZulu-Natal, extending further north through Swaziland to Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province.

C. pseudopulchellus occurs at low altitude, from 5-1250 m above sea level, on sandy soils, sometimes on rocky outcrops, usually along rivers and streams. Commonly forms the dominant undershrub in certain types of woodland.

Stem

Derivation of name and historical aspects

History

Croton was derived from the Greek word kroton , meaning a 'tick' in reference to the shape of the seeds which look like a tick. The specific epithet 'pseudopulchellus' is derived from the Greek word pseudo meaning 'false' and pulchellus meaning 'pretty and small' or somewhat attractive; the epithet therefore means 'the false Croton pulchellus '.

Ecology

The flowers are attractive to a variety of insects, thereby attracting insect-eating birds.

Uses

Use

Croton pseudopulchellus is used in African tribes as a source of traditional medicine. The powder of root bark is applied to syphilitic ulcers. Decoction of root and leaf sap is drunk to treat asthma. The root powder and leaf decoction is drunk for the treatment of headache. The root powder is also used for the treatment of colds. Dried leaves are burnt, and the smoke is inhaled for the treatment of fever. Leaf decoction is rubbed on the chest for colds. Decoction of leafy twigs is drunk for the treatment of gonorrhoea.

Growing Croton pseudopulchellus

Grow

The plant is easily propagated by cuttings and may also be propagated from seed. The ripe seeds, removed from fruit, should be planted in bags filled with moist, 1:1 mixture of river sand and compost. Seed germination takes 3-4 weeks. The seedlings can be transplanted into the open ground when they are about 100 mm high. In areas of low temperature, seedlings should be protected against severe winter cold. C. pseudopulchellus seems to need a lot of water, but can tolerate dry conditions too.

References

Coates Palgrave, K. 1997. Trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
Germishuizen, G., Meyer, N.L., Steenkamp, Y. & Keith, M. (eds). 2006. A checklist of South African plants. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 41. SABONET, Pretoria.
Glen, H. 2004. What's in a name? The meaning of the botanical names of trees. Jacana, Johannesburg.
Leistner, O.A. 2000. Seed plants of southern Africa: families and genera. Strelitzia 10. National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Leistner, O.A. 2005. Seed plants of southern tropical Africa: families and genera. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 26 . South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Neuwinger, H.D. 2000. African traditional medicine: A dictionary of plant use and applications . Medpharm Scientific Publishers, Stuttgart.
Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. & Manyama, P.A. (eds) 2009. Red List of South African plants 2009. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Schmidt, E., Lotter, M. & McCleland, W. 2002. Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Jacana Publishers, Johannesburg.
Van Wyk, B. [A.E.] & Van Wyk, P. 1997. Field guide to trees of southern Africa, edn 1. Struik, Cape Town.

Credits

Sifiso Mnxati
KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium
September 2012

Plant Attributes:

Plant Type: Shrub, Tree

SA Distribution: KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga

Soil type: Sandy

Flowering season: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer

PH: Acid

Flower colour: Yellow

Aspect: Shade

Gardening skill: Easy

Special Features:

Attracts birds

Fragrant

Medical plant

Croton pseudopulchellus