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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Croton cascarilla (Pineland croton)
Cressler, Alan

Croton cascarilla

Croton cascarilla (L.) L.

Pineland Croton, Grannybush, Narrowleaf Croton, Woolly Croton

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)

Synonym(s): Croton linearis

USDA Symbol: CRCA29

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Pineland Croton is a small usually evergreen shrub with wiry, often rust-colored stems to about 3 feet in height. It is a constituent species of the pine rocklands of South Florida, including the Keys. Its population has declined due to encroaching development of its habitat.

Though now considered a synonym, Pineland Croton is often found listed as Croton linearis.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Cordate , Linear
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Inflorescence: Raceme
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: To about 3 feet in height and width.
Leaf: Leaves are 3-4 inches long, narrow, dark green above and silvery below.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Bloom Notes: Flowers any time year-round.

Distribution

USA: FL
Native Distribution: South Florida and the West Indies.
Native Habitat: Pine rocklands, scrublands and thickets on sandy or well-drained calcareous soils.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Thrives in poor, sandy soils or calcareous marl. Does not tolerate wet soil or soil with significant amounts of organic matter. Also intolerant to high soil salt levels.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive shrub that works as an accent plant or as low hedge.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Larval host for Strymon acis, Bartram's Scrub Hairstreak butterfly and Anaea troglodyta floridalis, Florida Leafwing butterfly.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Croton cascarilla in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Croton cascarilla in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Croton cascarilla

Metadata

Record Modified: 2016-07-08
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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