Croton caudatus Geiseler
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms
None
Vernacular Names
| Malaysia | Gurah periat, tukul takal, mendarong akar (Peninsular). |
| Philippines | Alimpai (Tagalog). |
| Thailand | Krado hot bai khon (South-eastern). |
| Vietnam | ba d[aaj]u leo, c[uf] d[ef]n du[oo]i. |
Geographical Distributions
Croton caudatus is distributed from the Eastern Himalayas to Sri Lanka, to Southeast Asia and throughout West Malesia to the Philippines and Sulawesi.
Description
C. caudus is a woody climber that can reach up to measure 27 m tall.
The leaves are ovate in shape, measuring about 5-18 cm x 2.5-11 cm, cordate base in shape, with two glands stalk, with 5 palmate nerves, acuminate apex and shallowly serrate margin with glands in teeth. The lower surface is with scattered stellate hairs, caduceus stipules and measures about (0.2-)1-1.5 cm long.
The inflorescence is with star-shaped hairs. The staminate flowers are with obovate petals, with 18-32 stamens and hairy disk glands. The pistillate flowers are with oblong petals, small, hairy while the ovary is with long star-shaped hairs.
The fruit is nearly spherical in shape, measure about 12-18 mm in diametre, finely 6-grooved, warty and with star-shaped hairs.
The seed is with scattered star-shaped hairs.
Ecology / Cultivation
C. caudatus is found in primary and secondary forest and brushwood, up to 1000 m altitude. C. caudatus haveflowers throughout the year.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
- Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 12 (2): Medicinal and poisonous plants.
