Botany

Croton alabamensis

Croton alabamensis, known as Alabama croton, is a rare species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that is endemic to Texas and Alabama in the Southeastern United States. It has two varieties whose ranges are separated by more than 1000 km: Croton alabamensis var. alabamensis (Alabama croton) is found in two central Alabama counties, while Croton alabamensis var. texensis (Texabama croton) is found in three counties in Texas. The Alabama croton is a semi-evergreen monoecious shrub that reaches a height of 5–35 dm. It is the northernmost shrubby species of the genus Croton in North America and the largest species of Euphorbiaceae native to North America. It is grown as an ornamental for its form and foliage and is valued for its drought tolerance, low maintenance, and herbivore resistance. Although normally forming loose clonal colonies, it can be trained as a single-trunked, dense shrub. C. alabamensis and its nominate variety are considered Vulnerable by NatureServe, while C. a. var. texensis is considered Imperiled. Threats include habitat loss and forestry practices.

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See also

• ▸Goodeniaceae
• ▸Bianzhong
• ▸Colutea

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