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hogwort

Scientific Name: Croton capitatus

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Croton capitatus: The Hogwort Plant

Croton capitatus, commonly known as hogwort or woolly croton, is an annual plant found in various locations across North America. It's often overlooked, but this fuzzy plant has a few interesting stories to tell.

Considerations for Pets

  • Croton capitatus is covered in whitish hairs, giving it a fuzzy appearance.

Considerations for Children

  • Croton capitatus is covered in whitish hairs, giving it a fuzzy appearance.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Croton capitatus Michx.
  • Common Names: Hogwort, Woolly Croton, Hogweed, Doveweed, Goatweed.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)
  • Synonym: Heptalon graveolens
  • USDA Symbol: CRCA6
  • Subspecies: Croton capitatus var. capitatus, Croton capitatus Michx. var. lindheimeri (Engelm . &amp Gray) Muell. Arg.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to North America (L48 (N)).
  • Potentially invasive in Canada (CAN (I)).
  • Found in pastures, prairies, ditches, and roadsides.
  • Observed from New Jersey to the Southeastern U.S.

Ecological Role

  • May be invasive in some regions.
  • Serves as a host plant for butterflies, such as the Goatweed Leafwing, on Croton capitatus (goatweed).

Morphological Characteristics

  • Annual plant with erect, branched stems.
  • Densely covered with light brown, woolly hairs, giving it a whitish appearance.

Quirky Facts

  • J.K. Rowling speculated she may have subconsciously named "Hogwarts" after seeing a hogwort plant (Croton capitatus) at Kew Gardens.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Host plant for the Goatweed Leafwing butterfly.

Additional Resources

  • Dave's Garden: A community sharing gardening tips and ideas.
  • USDA Plants Database.
  • TERMIUM (Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank).