Croton flavens
Croton flavens
Safety & Hazards
Several esters of the diterpene phorbol have been isolated from croton resin. Some of these have shown antileukaemic activity but in general, however, these phorbol esters as found in Croton tiglium and many other Croton species are extremely irritant and also tumour promotors. Their presence in Croton tiglium and Croton flavens means their consumption is sometimes held responsible for certain forms of nasopharyngeal cancer as they are able to activate Epstein-Barr viruses[1].
Cultivation Details
Most Croton species are relatively indifferent to their habitat and can grow on a wide range of soils, though this species is found mainly in limestone soils. It can grow in both disturbed and undisturbed vegetation[1]. The plant has a very strong but agreeable balsam odour[2]. The flowers are sweetly fragrant[2]. Plants can flower and produce fruit all year round[2].
Propagation
Seed - Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Croton+flavens>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
- [2]Welensali (Croton flavens): Folk Uses and Properties — Morton J.F. · 1971 · http://10.1007/BF02985212 ↩︎
- [3]Flowering Plants of Jamaica — Adams. C.D. · University of the West Indies; Jamaica. · 1972 ↩︎A terse treatment of the flowering plants of Jamaica, with a botanical description of each plant, notes on habitat etc.