Croton argyratus Blume
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms
None
Vernacular Names
| Malaysia | Cheret budak, chenderai, semengkeh (Peninsular). |
| English | Silver croton. |
| Indonesia | Parengpeng (Sundanese), tapen kebo (Javanese), leprak (Madurese). |
| Philippines | Tubang puti (Pilipino). |
| Brunei | Kemarik. |
Geographical Distributions
Croton argyratus is distributed from India (Andaman Islands), and up to peninsular Thailand. peninsular Malaysiaand throughout Malesia Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, West-, Central-, South- and East-Kalimantan), Philippines, Celebes, Moluccas. (except for New Guinea).
Description
C. argyratus is a tree that can reach up to measure about 20(-27) m tall.
The leaves are ovate in shape, measuring about 8-26 cm x 6-11 cm and subcordate base with 2 small and auricled lobes. The apex is acuminate and entire margin. The lower surface is densely covered with bronze scale-like hairs. The petiole is measure about 2.5-18 cm long.
The inflorescence is densely scaly. The outside sepal is densely scaly. Flowers are staminate. The petals are obovate in shape, 2.5-3 mm long, hairy, with 11 stamens where the filaments are with long hairs or hairless. The disk flowers are with stellate hairs while the ovary is densely scaly.
The 6-grooved fruit is spherical in shape and it is measure 1.5-2 cm in diametre.
Ecology / Cultivation
C. argyratus is found in a variety of vegetation types and soils in subhumid climates, up to 1000(-1500) m altitude. It also can grows on hillsides and ridges with clay to sandy soils. It flowers throughout the year, and the limits of the species are still not fully understood.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
- Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 12 (2): Medicinal and poisonous plants.
