Japanese name: クロトン Scientific name:Codiaeum variegatum
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub growing to 3 m tall.
When the branches or leaves are damaged, a milky white sap comes out.
The leaves are alternate, thick and glossy.
The color and shape of the leaves are varied, and according to leaf shape there are types such as broad-leaved, long-leaved, halberd-leaved, spiral-leaved and narrow-leaved.
There are male and female flowers, both borne in racemes 17–25 cm long that emerge from the leaf axils in the upper part of the branches.
The fruit is a capsule.
[History]
It was introduced to Japan in 1773 (Anei 2), and from the end of the Meiji period it came to be cultivated as a greenhouse plant.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by layering or cuttings.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, fertile soil.
With poor sunlight, the leaf color becomes poor.
It is weak against cold and needs 15°C or above even in winter, so in winter bring it indoors to a sunny spot.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; in winter, water sparingly.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Pests include scale insects and spider mites.
