Croton gratissimus Burch.

lavender croton, lavender fever berry

Afr

bergboegoe, korannaboegoe, laventelbos, laventelkoorsbessie

isiZulu

ilabele, inkubathi, isikhumampuphu

IsiXhosa

Description

Family:

Euphorbiaceae

Order:

Malpighiales

Description

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree or large shrub with aromatic leaves. Leaves are simple, ovate to lanceolate, densely covered with silvery to lavender hairs giving a distinctive greyish-green appearance. Flowers are small, yellow-green, inconspicuous, appearing in spring. Fruits are small capsules. Valued for its aromatic foliage and medicinal uses. Ecologically important as a nectar source and shelter.

Plant Details

Height

3 - 8 m

Thorns

Absent

Soil

Well-drained rocky, sandy or loamy soils; moderately drought tolerant.

Moderate

Growth Rate

3 - 8 m

Size

30 - 50 years

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

, ,

Horticultural Zones

6 - 7.5

pH

Well-drained rocky, sandy or loamy soils; moderately drought tolerant.

Soil

Full sun to partial shade

Aspect

Low to moderate

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Often found with Acacia, Combretum, and Terminalia species in savanna and woodland biomes.

Caterpillars

Supports various butterfly species including some Pieridae.

Associations

Descriptions

Supports a variety of pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. Leaves provide shelter for insects and small reptiles. Fruits eaten by birds and small mammals. Important in local insect food webs.

Flowers and fruits

Small, nectar-bearing flowers attract bees and butterflies. Fruits consumed by birds and rodents aiding seed dispersal. Capsules explode to disperse seeds.

Birds

Provides food for nectarivorous birds such as sunbirds; dense foliage offers shelter and nesting sites. Attracts insectivorous birds like cuckoos.

By Seeds:

Seeds collected from mature capsules when they trun brown in late summer; sow fresh for best germination. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. Germination moderate to good.
If needed, store in dry conditions.

By Cuttings:

Possible but difficult; use rooting hormone, semi-hardwood cuttings have low success rates.

Traditional Uses

The aromatic leaves of Croton gratissimus are used for perfume and incense, and its bark is used in traditional medicine to treat coughs, colds, malaria, fever, bleeding gums, chest complaints, indigestion, skin inflammation, and respiratory disorders. Aromatic oils used for insect repellents. No known livestock toxicity.The wood is used for small carvings and utensils, and the tree attracts pollinators and insectivorous birds, contributing to biodiversity conservation.

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

Link to PlantzAfrica.co.za

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Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses