Croton tiglium Seeds | Purging Croton
LATIN NAME: Croton tiglium
COMMON NAME: Purging Croton
Plant Profile
Purging Croton (Croton tiglium) grows as a handsome shrub. Round, smooth, mottled seeds within carry violently purging oil that gave plant its name and its long, careful history. Plant is grown today as a striking, easy foliage shrub of warm garden, and seeds are strictly for admiring eye, never for the mouth. It is hard to name another plant that gives this much for this little trouble.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the Croton group, Croton tiglium is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Purging croton holds a steady position in plant science, and plant has been studied for a very long time for oil of its seeds and its long, careful history. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
Purging Croton works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Purging croton pays its way as a bold, easy foliage shrub. Glossy, oval, pointed leaves give plant a fine, handsome, tropical look, and small, yellowish-green flowers and three-lobed seed capsules add their own quiet interest. Seeds and oil have a long and careful record in old practice, but oil is violently purging and seeds must never be eaten, so plant is best grown and admired, kept well away from children and the pets. After the first season it asks for very little beyond a place that suits it.
Crotons are bold tropical foliage plants; the genus is pharmacologically notorious, from the violently purgative croton oil to dragon’s-blood resin relatives, so enjoy the color and never the sap.
Growing from Seed
Starting Purging Croton from seed is simple and satisfying. Sow thinly on the surface of a loose, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly, water in gently and keep the tray in a sunny spot with even moisture. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
The medicinal tradition behind this species, outlined above, is a large part of its interest. Purging Croton earns its space through character rather than fuss. Start with fresh seed, keep it evenly moist, and the plant does the rest itself.
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