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Codiaeum variegatum

(L.) Rumph. ex A.Juss. (1824)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Genus: Codiaeum

croton

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Only found in cultivation
Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Euphorb. Gen.: 80, 111 (1824)

Other References

Staples & Herbst 2005:278 (KEY), 283 (DESCR); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:177 (NEWNAT/O)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Codiaeum variegatum Koloa District Planted by the McBryde family behind the present location of Queen Emma's cottage. Preserved_Specimen Shrubs of 8 ft.; leaves glossy dark green w/dark maroon midvein above, variously green or green overlain w/maroon below, dull; stamens cream colored. Flynn, T.W. 5388 Kauai BISH 1993-06-22
2 Codiaeum variegatum Laie, BYU-HC Silty loam, slope 0 degrees. Preserved_Specimen Shrub to 10 ft. tall. Leaves various in shape and colors-reddish. Very common, colorful hedge plant. Afualo, D. 86 Oahu BISH 1975-03-17
3 Codiaeum variegatum Waimanalo forest reserve, Maunawili contour trail. Approximately 500 m from trail head. Mesic gulch. Next to stream, shady. Associated; Macaranga tanarius, Citharexylum caudatum, Christella parasitica, Ardisia elliptica, Ardisia crenata, koa haole, Psydrax odorata. Preserved_Specimen Irregularly lobed leaves, dark surface pale underside. Pulvanis at top of petiole. White flowers. Arthur, K. 69 Oahu BISH 2025-02-21
4 Codiaeum variegatum Koloa District, Lawai Valley Preserved_Specimen Tree of 18 ft.; leaves dark glossy brownish-green w/dark maroonish-brown midvein, below semi-glossy green w/heavy brownish-maroon overlay; stamens numerous, whitish, buds pale green w/reddish overlay. Flynn, T.W. 5272 Kauai BISH 1993-02-24
5 Codiaeum variegatum Degeuer Mokuleia home Gift of croton by hyleredezer, thlate Colin Polter, Director of Foster Bot. Park, formerly New Hellebrandis home Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 36633 Oahu BISH 1985-04-01
6 Codiaeum variegatum BYU-HC Fertle soil. Preserved_Specimen Shrub. Thick, smooth, short-stemmed, 3-10 in. long. Mackelprang, J. 510 Oahu BISH 1977-04-01
7 Codiaeum variegatum University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen Shrub with red, yellow and green varigated leaves, watery sap. Herbst, D.R. 616 Oahu BISH 1967-09-22
8 Codiaeum variegatum Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus; Miller Hall Preserved_Specimen Trimmed shrub 2 m. tall growing in partial shade. The young leaves are colored cream and moss green. The mature leaves are of a darker green and have reddish colors. Lau, J. 1282 Oahu BISH 1985-08-01
9 Codiaeum variegatum Campus museum Preserved_Specimen Shrub. Flower greenish. Ornamental. Ball, S.C. 26 Oahu BISH 1926-01-06
10 Codiaeum variegatum Honolulu, Central Union Church Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. 21 Oahu BISH 1928-02-01
11 Codiaeum variegatum Honolulu, 42 Coelho Way Preserved_Specimen With female flowers. Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1958-06-01
12 Codiaeum variegatum Honolulu, 42 Coelho Way Preserved_Specimen Male flowers and female flowers or fruit on same main branch. Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1949-03-27
13 Codiaeum variegatum Makiki Preserved_Specimen Shrub on lawn. Bushnell, O.A. Oahu BISH 1934-02-06
14 Codiaeum variegatum Honolulu, 42 Coelho Way Preserved_Specimen Fruit and female flowers. Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1946-01-07
15 Codiaeum variegatum Honolulu, 42 Coelho Way Preserved_Specimen With male flowers. Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1958-06-01
16 Codiaeum variegatum BYU-HC Slope=2%, Soil=clay. Preserved_Specimen Shrub. Vaiaoga, O. Oahu BISH 1980-12-04
17 Codiaeum variegatum Kapalama Heights, Kamehameha Girls' School Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1932-06-06
18 Codiaeum variegatum Laie Sandy-loam. Preserved_Specimen Flowers yellow-green. Beckham, N. 41 Oahu BISH 1967-04-10
19 Codiaeum variegatum Halawa Valley; ARG Site B1-75 Shady understory of guava/mango grove; one of a kind with Bixa orellana, guava & mango. Preserved_Specimen Small tree; leaves clustered at end of branches; 10-15 ft, trunk diam ±8 in. No flowers or fruit. McConnell, K. Oahu BISH 1992-03-01
20 Codiaeum variegatum Kailua, private garden at 209 Oneawa Kai Place Volunteers that appeared in flower beds located 6-15 ft away from mature croton plants in hedge. Preserved_Specimen Seedlings 6-9 tall, some with green leaves, some with colored ones. Staples, G.W. 1188 Oahu BISH 1999-10-10
21 Codiaeum variegatum Palolo Valley Growing in shady gulch along side stream bed. Surrounded by; Psidium cattleyanum, Pisonia brunnoniana, Aleurites moluccanus, Sweitenia macrophylla. Preserved_Specimen 3 m tall. Inflorescence pendulus. Leaves have dark green surfaces with a lighter underside. Arthur, K. 9 Oahu BISH 2025-01-13
22 Codiaeum variegatum Ma kai section of Kului gulch, South eastern Koolau mountains. Growing in gulch bottom at base of cliff. Forest mostly composed of Psidium cattleianum and Schinus terebinthifolius with Microsorrum grossum understory. Sapindus oahuensis, Hibiscus arnottianus, Psydrax odorata, and Erythrina sandwicensis occasional. Preserved_Specimen Tree up to 3 m tall. Leaves green with conspicuously reticulate veins. No variegation or color variation present in mature leaves. Young leaves slightly reddish. Thomas, M.K. 208 Oahu BISH 2021-12-15
23 Codiaeum variegatum Honolulu, University of Hawaii Semi-moist ground. Preserved_Specimen Inafuku, R. Oahu BISH 1930-12-12
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