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This member of the euphorbiaceae is very obscure. I'm not sure why - it has petite, coppertone sun-kissed succulent leaves, tiny white flower clusters, grows in horrendous soil and full, brutal sun, and is salt tolerant. Forms a nice mini shrub-mat. Needs patience to establish but once it gets going - it rolls!
4" pots, shipped in pot if shipping is selected.
Beach-tea, Gulf croton
Croton punctatus
Euphorbiaceae
Landscape Uses:
Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also an accent shrub in coastal uplands.
Ecological Restoration Notes:
A somewhat rare element of beach dunes and coastal strand.
Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts.
Description:
Small, dense shrubby herb. Leaves greenish with a silvery cast, to 2 inches long.
Height:
Typically 1-3 feet in height. As broad as tall.
Growth Rate:
Moderate to slow.
Range:
Southern United States west to Texas and south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties; Cuba, Mexico, Central America and northern South America.
Habitats:
Open coastal uplands.
Soils:
Moist, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Frontline; grows in direct salt wind but away from constant salt spray.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
White.
Flower Characteristics:
Inconspicuous. Fragrant. Unisexual, with male flowers above and female below, clustered toward the ends of the stems.
Flowering Season:
All year.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous capsule.