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Sonoran croton

Scientific Name: Croton sonorae

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Croton sonorae: Sonoran Croton

Croton sonorae, commonly known as Sonoran croton, is a perennial dicot belonging to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family.

Considerations for Pets

  • Belongs to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, which can sometimes contain plants with irritating sap.

Considerations for Children

  • Belongs to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, which can sometimes contain plants with irritating sap.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Croton sonorae Torr.
  • Common Names: Sonoran croton, vara prieta, rama blanca, jsairo
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Group: Dicot
  • Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 28289
  • Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: Croton attenuatus (implied, but not explicitly stated as a direct synonym)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Primarily found in the Sonoran Desert region.
  • Specifically, it is documented in Sonora, Mexico and Southwestern Arizona.
  • Habitat: rocky slopes.
  • Croton yecorensis, a related species, is endemic to a small mountainous region in the Sierra in the State of Sonora, Mexico.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Life Form: Shrub, medium in size.
  • Leaves: Alternate, simple.
  • Flower Color: Greenish or green.
  • Flowering Period: August.
  • Spines: Spineless.

Ecological Role

  • In the Sonoran Desert (Mexico) buffelgrass is favored by widespread removal of native species, and Croton sonorae is listed as one of the euphorbs negatively impacted.
  • Used in diet study for desert mule deer and cattle.

Further Information

  • Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Croton sonorae.
  • Information available from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) under TSN 28289.
  • Herbarium specimens are available at UA Herbarium, ASU Vascular Plant Herbarium.
  • Photographs available from the University of California Museum of Paleontology Collection (UCMP ID: 0000).