The plant commonly referred to as the "Croton" belongs to the genus Codiaeum within the Euphorbiaceae family. Its botanical name is Codiaeum variegatum. It is crucial to note from a botanical standpoint that the common name can cause confusion, as it is shared with a different genus, Croton, which includes plants like the cascarilla bush. The cultivated varieties we discuss here are all cultivars or varieties of Codiaeum variegatum, a tropical evergreen shrub native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the western Pacific Islands. These plants are celebrated for their extraordinary foliar diversity, with leaves exhibiting a spectacular array of colors, shapes, and sizes due to extensive selective cultivation.
The primary method for distinguishing types of Croton plants is through their leaf morphology. The variations are immense, but they generally fall into several key categories based on the shape and structure of the leaf blade.
Twisted or Spiraled Leaves: Cultivars like 'Petra' and 'Mammy' exhibit this trait. The leaves are not flat; instead, they twist and curl along their length, creating a dynamic, spiraled form. This morphology increases the surface area exposed to light and adds significant textural interest.
Oakleaf: As the name implies, the leaves of varieties like 'Oakleaf' are lobed, resembling the leaves of an oak tree. This deeply incised shape provides a complex silhouette and allows the vibrant colors—often green, yellow, and red—to display on multiple, distinct segments.
Broad, Flat Leaves: This group includes some of the most classic varieties, such as 'Eleanor Roosevelt'. Their leaves are typically ovate or lanceolate with smooth margins. The coloration on these broad canvases is often spectacular, featuring bold veination, splotches, and spots.
Narrow, Linear Leaves: Cultivars like 'Zanzibar' have very long, thin, and often drooping leaves that resemble ribbons or grass. This form creates a dramatically different aesthetic compared to the broader-leaved types, offering a more weeping or fountain-like growth habit.
The color patterns on Croton leaves are a result of variegation, where different pigments like chlorophyll (green), carotenoids (yellows and oranges), and anthocyanins (reds and purples) are expressed in different cells. The patterns are highly variable and are a key identifying feature.
Veination: In patterns like that of the 'Norma' cultivar, the primary and secondary veins of the leaf are a strikingly different color (often bright yellow or red) from the main leaf blade, creating a bold, painted-line effect.
Splash or Spotting: Varieties such as 'Gold Dust' are characterized by a base color (typically dark green) that is covered in hundreds of small, irregular yellow or gold spots, as if flicked with a paintbrush.
Piecrust or Wavy Edging: Some cultivars, including 'Mrs. Iceton', not only have stunning color gradients (often transitioning from green at the base to yellow to red at the tip) but also feature a distinctly wavy or crimped leaf margin, adding a further layer of textural complexity.
Multi-Color Blotches: Many Crotons display large, irregular blotches of multiple colors. The 'Superstar' cultivar, for example, can show patches of green, pink, red, yellow, and orange all on a single plant, with the pattern changing as new leaves mature.
While there are hundreds of named cultivars, a few are particularly prominent due to their distinct morphology and popularity in cultivation.
Codiaeum variegatum 'Petra': Perhaps the most common cultivar, known for its large, thick, leathery leaves that display a mix of green, yellow, red, and orange, often with pronounced veination.
Codiaeum variegatum 'Mammy': Recognizable by its very narrow, spirally twisted leaves that are vividly colored with red, green, yellow, and purple hues.
Codiaeum variegatum 'Gold Star': A narrow-leaved type with dark green foliage profusely spotted with bright yellow dots, giving the plant a starry-night appearance.
Codiaeum variegatum 'Magnificent': True to its name, this cultivar has very large, broad leaves with intense coloration following the veination pattern, often in shades of orange, red, and green.
