Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common name: Chinese croton, Blindness tree, Jungle fire plant, Buta buta, Excoecaria bicolor
Chinese croton or Blindness tree is a beautiful ornamental shrub that can be grown as border or hedge plants, or in pots. They are native to China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan, the very name Cochinchinensis coming from an old name for Vietnam, Cochinchina.
Plant characteristics
Chinese croton plant grow to a height of about 2 meters with an erect stem that can branch well to make the plant bushy and rounded. The stem is wood and brown towards the base, and dull greenish-brown towards the tip.
Leaves are the most attractive feature of the Chinese croton plant. They are variegated green and white at the top, and bright red or burgundy at the bottom, creating a stunning contrast in colors.
And this is the main reason these plants are loved by gardeners and landscapers. The bright red of the bottom surface shows at certain places where the leaves are slanted or growing at an angle, or when the leaves move in the wind.
Chinese croton leaves are are 5-10 cm long and lance-shaped with a drip tip, a small bend at the very end of the leaves that helps drain water quickly. They are arranged opposite to each other on the stem, creating a beautiful, symmetrical pattern.
This plant produces male and female flowers that are small, greenish-white in color and not very showy. Male flowers are 1-2 cm long and female flowers slightly less than 1 cm.
They are not very commonly seen in garden plants, and hence these plants are mostly grown for their unique, colorful foliage. They small inconspicuous flowers are not noticeable among the strikingly beautiful leaves.
Gardening Tips
Chinese croton plants need bright sunlight, though they can thrive in the partial shade of big trees. Too little sun can cause the stems to be bare and lanky. Leaves also become pale and lusterless in the shade, and hence these plants should not be grown indoors.
They need regular watering and care, especially during hot summer months. Fertilize every 2 months with a well-balanced organic fertilizer to keep the plants healthy and bushy.
Pruning can be done to retain the shape of the plant, and to trim any wayward branches.
Uses of Chinese croton
These plants have some uses in traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of cuts, wounds, skin infections, bleeding, urticaria, tonsilitis and so on.
But like many species of plants in Euphorbiaceae family like the Pencil cactus or Euphorbia tirucalli; and Crown of thorns or Euphorbia milii, all parts of the plant contain a toxic sap that can irritate the skin.
So extreme caution is to be exercised to avoid self-medication. This sap can even cause temporary blindness giving the plant its name Blindness tree.
The botanical name comes from the word Excoecaria which means ‘to make blind’ in Latin. So keep small children and pets away from this plant. And be careful while handling it.
Propagation
Propagation is done through stem cuttings or by layering. Layering is the process where a long stem is bent to the ground, and buried in the soil.
Roots will form at this place where it makes contact with the soil. Once the roots are formed, it can be severed from the parent plant and replanted.
Photographed at: Rajagiri college, Kalamassery, Kerala.
