Croton setigerus

Croton setigerus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Croton
Species: C. setigerus
Binomial name
Croton setigerus
Hook.
Synonyms

Eremocarpus setigerus

Croton setigerus (formerly Eremocarpus setigerus) is a species of plant known by the common names doveweed and turkey mullein. It is native to western North America, such as Montana and California. It has naturalized elsewhere, including parts of Australia.

This is a squat plant with furry, feltlike, hexagon shaped leaves, pale pink green in color. The small green flowers are covered in soft bristles.

Cultivation

Croton setigerus is used as an ornamental plant, its low and rounded form fills a pot.

The foliage is toxic to animals, and the crushed plants were used by Native Americans to stupefy fish and make them easy to catch. Turkey mullein was smoked to cure sore throats and cough. It can replace a fraction of tobacco.

The seeds are very palatable to birds, however; the common names of the plant come from the affinity of doves and wild turkeys for the seeds.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, November 19, 2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.