Scientific Family
Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms
Croton lindheimeranus
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
1 to 3 feet
Riparian
No
Branches in 2s, densely hairy leaves and stems; leaves sometimes clustered near flower clusters of separate male and female flowers, taper at both ends; stipules (outgrowth at the base of the leaves) is very small.
Stems densely covered by star-like hairs and divide into 2; leaves stemmed, narrow, margins smooth, taper at both ends, often clustered at stem tips below flowers; flower clusters have 1 to 3 female flowers centralized, 3 to 8 male flowers decentralized.
Habitat
Floodplains, old pastures, loamy soils, roadsides.
Plant Community
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
150
High elevation
2000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers in bisexual spike-like clusters of very small male, 5-petaled flowers numbering 3 to 8 and 1 to 3 female flowers with no petals and 5 sepals, bottom of sepals with star-like hairs in male and female flowers.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Upper surface of leaves darker than lower surface; base rounded but tapering from widest part of leaf, tip pointed, lance-shaped; hairy, hairs star-like. Leaves may be clustered at stem tips.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Smooth, apex with 3 sharp projections, less than 1/4 inch wide and long.
Fruit type
Capsule
Shiny.