592 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Croton texensis Muell 



A branching annual from 1-2 feet high, covered with close stellate pubes- 

 cence; leaves narrowly oblong-lanceolate to linear; dioecious; calyx lobes 5, 

 unequal; petals none; staminate spikes short; stamens 10 or more; style 2 or 

 3 times dichotomously 2-parted; capsule stellate, tomentose and roughened; 

 seeds ovoid or oval. 



Distribution. From South Dakota to Colorado, Texas, Mexico, Missouri and 

 Alabama. 



Poisonous properties. Several species of the genus Croton are used in 

 medicine. The Croton Tiglium contains an oil which given internally is a 

 powerful cathartic, but when applied externally, is a rubefacient. Loss of the 

 hair follicles and of hair may occur. When gently rubbed into the skin, it 

 produces, after a short time, a considerable degree of itching, redness, and burn- 

 ing, and within a few hours small red papules may develop. If more of the 

 oil is applied the papules are more abundant and are often surrounded with 

 a bright red halo. They often become pustular and scars fill the pustules. 



Fig. 328. Texas Croton (Croton texensis). Some- 

 times causes irritation of the skin. (After Mrs. M. H. D. 

 Irish, Rep. Mo. Bot. Garden.) 



