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<big>''[[Croton menyharthii]]'' Pax</big>
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Croton menyharthii'' (PROTA)}}
:Protologue: Bull. Herb. Boiss. 6: 733 (1898).
:Family: Euphorbiaceae
== Origin and geographic distribution ==
A methanol extract of the leaves or twigs showed significant antiplasmodial activity in vitro, while a water extract was inactive.
== Botany Description ==
Monoecious, much-branched shrub up to 5 m tall; young twigs densely covered with yellowish scales, older twigs pale greyish brown. Leaves alternate, simple and entire; stipules tiny, soon falling; petiole 2–5(–9) mm long; blade elliptical-ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–7(–11) cm × 1–3(–4.5) cm, base rounded to shallowly cordate, with 2 minute basal glands, apex obtuse to notched, thinly stellate hairy and yellowish above, covered with shiny silvery to cream-coloured scales below. Inflorescence a slender terminal raceme up to 3(–5) cm long at the end of side-shoots, covered with yellowish scales, mostly with male flowers in upper part and 1–4 female flowers at base. Flowers unisexual, 5-merous, regular, pale yellow-green; male flowers with pedicel 2–5 mm long, sepals ovate, c. 2 mm long, petals linear-oblong to linear-oblanceolate, c. 2 mm long, margin ciliate, stamens 12–15, free; female flowers with pedicel 2–3 mm long, extending to 4 mm in fruit, calyx lobes ovate, c. 2 mm long, petals absent, ovary superior, rounded, densely scaly and stellate hairy, yellowish brown, brown or black, 3-celled, styles 3–4, deeply 2-fid, c. 2.5 mm long, spreading or incurved. Fruit a 3-lobed capsule 6–7 mm × 7–9 mm, covered with yellowish scales, black-spotted, 3-seeded. Seeds ellipsoid to ovoid, c. 6 mm × 4 mm, brown or greyish, shiny.
=== ''Croton polytrichus'' and ''dichogamus'' ===
''[[Croton polytrichus]]'' Pax is a lax shrub or small tree occurring from Sudan south to Zambia. In East Africa an extract of its roots is taken to treat headache and labour pain. Root powder, alone or mixed with that of ''[[Croton dichogamus]]'' Pax, is mixed with porridge or tea to treat impotence and colds. A root decoction is taken to treat irregular menstruation.
=== ''Croton scheffleri'' ===
''[[Croton scheffleri]]'' Pax is a shrub or small tree occurring from Kenya to Zambia. In northern Kenya its roots are soaked in water and the water is taken to treat malaria and fever.
=== ''Croton somalensis'' ===
''[[Croton somalensis]]'' Pax occurs in Ethiopia, Somalia and northern Kenya. In Kenya the Maasai people drink a decoction of its roots to treat fever and malaria. The wood is used in house construction.
=== ''Croton steenkampianus'' ===
''[[Croton steenkampianus]]'' Gerstner (Tonga croton) occurs in Tanzania, southern Mozambique and South Africa. The Zulu people inhale the vapour of a decoction of its fresh leaves to treat general body pain. Extracts have shown antimalarial activity.
=== ''Croton talaeporos'' ===
''[[Croton talaeporos]]'' Radcl.-Sm. occurs in southern Somalia and Kenya. In southern Kenya a root infusion is taken as a remedy for colds and stomach complaints.
== Ecology ==
== Author(s) ==
* G.H. Schmelzer , PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
== Correct citation of this article ==
Schmelzer, G.H., 2007. '''Croton menyharthii''' Pax. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>. Accessed {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}.
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[[Category:PROTA prov]][[Category:Medicinal plants (PROTA)]]
