Annual croton: Woolly croton
Croton capitatus Michx.
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Description
Twenty croton species occur in Texas. Of these, nine species are annuals. Woolly croton is a native, warm-season annual with star-shaped hairs on the surfaces of the leaves and stems.
Each leaf is attached to the stem by a stalk, called a petiole. The leaves have no lobes, are usually entire and are located alternately along the stem. They have an aromatic smell when crushed.
The flowers are arranged in spikes at the ends of the stems. The fruit is a capsule that has three segments supporting three individual seeds.
Woolly croton produces seeds that are very valuable to dove, quail and other seed-eating birds but are of low value for livestock grazing.
Habitat
When these plants are abundant, they are generally associated with soil disturbance, lack of soil cover or overgrazing.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Flower Color: White
Seed Type: Bean/Pod
Duration: Annual
Stem Texture: Hairy
Growth Habit: Forbs/Broadleaf
Leaf Shape
: Simple with Pinnate or Parallel Venation
Season: Warm
Distribution
: 01 - Pineywoods, 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 03 - Post Oak Savannah, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 09 - High Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Brush and Weeds of Texas Rangelands (B-6208)
Collection: Brush and Weeds
