Croton alabamensis E.A. Sm. ex Chapm. var. alabamensis

Alabama Croton

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Alabama Croton is a native semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub in the Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It is endemic to Bibb and Tuscaloosa counties in Alabama. Alabama Croton occurs in calcareous woods, in hardwood forest understories, and around rock outcrops and glades. It is a shrub growing from 2-10 feet in height. There is usually a single trunk that is well branched. The bark is smooth and gray in color. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, elliptic to oblong in outline, and entire. Leaves are often clustered at the ends of the twigs. The lower surface of the leaf is silvery in color and covered in lepidote trichomes (shield-like scales). The upper surface of the leaf is dark or olive green with scattered lepidote trichomes. The leaves often turn bright red or orange before falling. Crushed leaves have a fruity fragrance. Flowers are produced in racemes. The racemes may be bisexual or unisexual. Flowers have 5 sepals and 5 greenish-yellow petals. The fruit is a 3-angled capsule. A second variety (Croton alabamensis E. A. Smith ex Chapman var. texensis Ginzbarg) occurs in Bell, Coryell, and Travis counties of Texas. That variety differs by having the lower surface of the leaves coppery in color and by having fewer flowers and fruits. Alabama Croton is listed as a S3 species in Alabama (typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in the state), and globally as a G3 species (imperiled globally because of rarity -6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres- or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Alabama Croton is available from some nurseries. It prefers a well-draining soil high in lime.—A. Diamond

The only other variety of Croton alabamensis, var. texensis Ginzbarg is a narrow endemic in Texas.

Native Endemic S3 (State Rank) G3T3 (Global Rank)

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