Croton willdenowii G.L. Webster. Common name: Glade Rushfoil, Outcrop Rushfoil, Broadleaf Rushfoil, Willdenow's Croton. Phenology: Jun-Oct. Habitat: Granitic flatrocks, diabase barrens, calcareous barrens, thin soils around other rock outcrops, open woodlands, disturbed sandy soil. Distribution: CT, se. PA (Rhoads & Block 2007), IL, and se. KS, south to ne. FL, Panhandle FL, and TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: Van Ee & Berry (2009) argued that this taxon is only varietally distinct from Croton michauxii (see synonymy).
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Fl2, K4, Tn, Va, WH3, Webster (1992); = Croton michauxii G.L.Webster var. elliptica (Willd.) B.W.van Ee & P.E.Berry — FNA12, van Ee & Berry (2009); = Crotonopsis elliptica Willd. — C, F, G, GrPl, Il, NE, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tx, W. Basionym: Croton willdenowii G.L.Webster 1992 "Urbasionym:" Crotonopsis elliptica Willd. 1805
Links to other floras: = Croton michauxii var. elliptica - FNA12
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Heliophily ⓘ: 9
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect to leaning, sometimes bushy annual found on granitic flatrocks, diabase barrens, calcareous barrens, thin soils around other rock outcrops and disturbed, sandy soil.
Stems: Stems branched, densely covered with silvery scales with reddish-brown centers.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, short-petiolate to sessile, linear to elliptic, to 1 1/2 in. long, folded during dry weather, upper surface green and covered with star-shaped hairs.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers separate in small, fuzzy clusters at stem ends, with male and female flowers separate; male flowers at summit of short spikes, consisting of 5 tiny petals, 5 tiny sepals and 5 stamens; female flowers at base of spikes, consisting a tiny 3- to 5-lobed calyx (no petals) and 2 divided styles.
Fruits: Fruit a tiny, ellipsoid capsule sparsely covered with star-shaped hairs.
Comments: The similar Croton michauxii differs in having slightly longer flower clusters (1/3-1 1/2 in. vs. less than 1/3 in.) and fuzzier fruits.
Height: 6-14 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect to leaning, sometimes bushy annual found on granitic flatrocks, diabase barrens, calcareous barrens, thin soils around other rock outcrops and disturbed, sandy soil.
stems: Stems branched, densely covered with silvery scales with reddish-brown centers.
leaves: Leaves alternate, short-petiolate to sessile, linear to elliptic, to 1 1/2 in. long, folded during dry weather, upper surface green and covered with star-shaped hairs.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers separate in small, fuzzy clusters at stem ends, with male and female flowers separate; male flowers at summit of short spikes, consisting of 5 tiny petals, 5 tiny sepals and 5 stamens; female flowers at base of spikes, consisting a tiny 3- to 5-lobed calyx (no petals) and 2 divided styles.
fruits: Fruit a tiny, ellipsoid capsule sparsely covered with star-shaped hairs.
comments: The similar Croton michauxii differs in having slightly longer flower clusters (1/3-1 1/2 in. vs. less than 1/3 in.) and fuzzier fruits.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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