Plant · GBIF taxon 3071476
Variegated Croton
Codiaeum variegatumAlso known as Garden Croton, Variegated Laurel, Joseph's Coat
Variegated crotons are tropical evergreen shrubs celebrated for their extraordinarily vivid foliage patterned in fiery blends of yellow, red, orange, and deep green. In their native rainforest habitats, they grow as multi-branched understory shrubs, producing tiny star-like white flowers on long inflorescences beneath the leaf canopy. When bruised or cut, stems exude a thick milky latex sap characteristic of the spurge family that serves as a deterrent against herbivores.
TropicalColorfulEvergreen
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic
Predators
- Spider Mites
- Mealybugs
- Scale Insects
ThreatsCold temperatures, habitat degradation in localized native ranges
HabitatsTropical rainforests, coastal thickets, warm gardens
Life span10–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderMalpighiales
- FamilyEuphorbiaceae
- GenusCodiaeum
- SpeciesCodiaeum variegatum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Milky sap causes skin irritation and severe stomach upset if ingested; keep away from pets and wear gloves when handling.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains diterpene esters in the latex sap that cause blistering dermatitis upon contact and severe vomiting or diarrhea if ingested.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognize by thick, leathery leaves marbled in brilliant yellow, red, orange, and purple that leak white milky sap when cut.
- What to do
- Wear gloves during propagation or pruning, and keep specimens out of reach of children and domestic pets.
Responsible observation
- Provide Bright Light: Position in high indirect light to maintain rich leaf pigmentation.
- Protect from Cold: Keep in warm spaces above 15 degrees Celsius to prevent sudden leaf drop.
- Wear Gloves when Pruning: Use protective gloves to avoid skin contact with the irritating latex sap.
Family Member (c) nmoorhatch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by nmoorhatch · cc-by
Family Member (c) Letícia Dias Martins, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Letícia Dias Martins · cc-by
Family Member no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
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