Croton texensis
(Texas Croton)
Croton texensis, Overland Trail Recreation Area, Sterling, Logan Co. 7160
Croton texensis, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9514
Croton texensis, Overland Trail Recreation Area, Sterling, Logan Co. 7151
Croton texensis, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9508
Croton texensis, Overland Trail Recreation Area, Sterling, Logan Co. 7158
Croton texensis, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9517
| Scientific Name | Croton texensis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CRTE4 |
| Common Name | Texas Croton, Skunkweed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 28291 |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae (Spurge) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 6000 ft.); sandy soils in disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, ditch banks and washes. Plant: Smelly erect annual, 8 to 32 inches tall; branching stems; foliage densely covered with soft, stellate (star-shaped) hairs. Leaves: Alternate, oblong-linear to narrowly ovate-oblong, 3/8 to 2 inches long; slender petioles, up to 3/4 inch long. Inflorescence: Dioecious (staminate and pistillate flowers on separate plants) small whitish flowers in clusters in leaf axils and at branch tips; staminate (male) flowers with 5-lobed calyx 1/12 to 1/6 inch across, no petals, and 8 to 12 stamens; pistillate (female) plants have fewer flowers, 5-lobed calyx 1/10 to 1/6 inch across, no petals. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses, and Flora of North America. Note: These images are from a staminate plant. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains