POISONOUS AND INJURIOUS PLANTS 30 
MANAGEMENT AND Controt.—The perenniality and copious seed 
production of all the species of croton included in this study make 
mechanical control measures largely ineffective. Unlike the other 
species of croton, broombush can often be pulled out by the roots by 
hand, and this method is effective where plants are not too abundant. 
Where the plants occur in thick stands chemical control measures 
are recommended. Repeated applications of selective herbicides are 
necessary for complete eradication and maintenance of weed-free 
areas. It is impractical to deny all classes of livestock access to broom- 
bush because of its abundance and widespread distribution. 
Euphorbiaceae, or Spurge, Family 
Croton discolor Willd. (fig. 18) 
Maran, White Maran 
Description.—This semierect, or erect, perennial shrub is usually 
4 to 6 feet high. The light-gray bark is fissured. The twigs, flowers, 
and leaf stems are densely covered with short, white, starlike hairs. 
The oblong, alternate leaves, borne on 1-inch stems are 34 to 1144 
inches long and 14 inch wide. The leaf blades have rounded bases and 
tips; they are dark green and smooth above, light green and hairy 
beneath. The small, male flowers are borne on slender flower stems 
at the tips of the branches. The larger, female flowers are usually 
borne on separate stems. Male and female flowers are usually borne 
on separate plants but not always. The flower stems are usually 
longer than the leaves. The spherical capsules, which are densely 
covered with hairs, contain 3 seeds and are about 14 inch in diameter. 
Reproduction is by seeds. 
DisrrisuTion aND Hapirar.—This type of maran is found on all 
the Virgin Islands, especially in the drier parts. It withstands wind 
and salt spray, and is often found growing near the sea. It occurs 
in thick stands on the dry eastern and southern coasts of St. Croix. 
Maran thrives equally well on deep, moist soils and on shallow, dry 
soils. It thrives best in full sunlight but is shade tolerant. Dense 
stands are often found in pastures, waste grounds, and along roadsides 
and ditchbanks. Maran is a noxious weed in both pastures and cul- 
tivated fields. 
Toxiciry anp Symproms.—Results of chick-feeding trials indicate 
that this species of maran has toxic properties similar to those of 
Crotonastroites. (See Croton astroites Dryand.) 
MANAGEMENT AND Contrrot.—This noxious weed occurs in dense 
stands in pastures, where it competes with pasture grasses. Mechanical 
contro] measures are less effective than chemical, since stumps re- 
sprout if cut or brushchopped. Grubbing is the most effective control 
for a few or isolated plants. Even though maran is abundant in 
pastures, cattle and horses ignore it unless tethered or otherwise 
denied other forage, but goats and deer browse on it. Its perenniality, 
copious seed production, and the prolonged dormancy and sporadic 
germination of the seeds make repeated control measures necessary 
to eradicate the weed and maintain weedfree areas. Experiments 
show that two applications of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T in water, applied 
