croton

views updated May 09 2018

cro·ton / ˈkrōtn/ • n. 1. a strong-scented tree, shrub, or herbaceous plant (genus Croton) of the spurge family, native to tropical and warm regions. Its numerous species include C. laccifer, the host plant for the lac insect. 2. a small Indo-Pacific evergreen tree or shrub (genus Codiaeum) of the spurge family, grown for its colorful ornamental foliage.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Croton

views updated May 21 2018

Croton (family Euphorbiaceae) A genus of small trees and shrubs, commonly with stellate hairs, producing a fruit which is a capsule. Several are medicinal (croton oil from C. tiglium is a powerful purgative). There are 750 species, occurring throughout the tropics and subtropics.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

croton

views updated May 17 2018

croton See CODIAEUM.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

croton

views updated May 21 2018

croton XVIII. — modL. — Gr. krótōn sheep-tick, castor-oil plant.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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