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Bush Croton

Croton fruticulosus

Other common name(s):

Shrubby Croton, Hierba Loca

Family:

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Limestone, Caliche, Calcareous, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects, Bees

Maintenance

This is a good shrub for shady spots in the garden. Drought tolerant. Native habitat, usually on limestone hills, bluffs, canyons, or rocky ravines. Highly deer resistant.

Comments

Blooms April-December. Bush Croton is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 3 feet tall. The stems are slender and smooth and the leaves are grayish green and densely covered with stellate hairs. The fruit is a 3-lobed capsule that is also slightly hairy. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. This plant attracts bees, butterflies and/or birds.

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=28274#null 2) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=9984&locationType=County&mapType=Normal 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CRFR, 4) https://backyardnature.net/n/w/croton2.htm, 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Croton+fruticulosus&formsubmit=Search+Terms, 6) https://backyardnature.net/n/w/croton2.htm, 7) https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/135247/#b

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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