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<big>''[[Croton nitidulus]]'' Baker</big>
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Croton nitidulus'' (PROTA)}}
:Protologue: Journ. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 253 (1883).
:Family: Euphorbiaceae
== Origin and geographic distribution ==
The aerial parts contain alkaloids.
== Botany Description ==
Monoecious shrub or small tree up to 9 m tall, dichotomously branched; all parts with brown stellate hairs. Leaves almost opposite to alternate, simple, aromatic; stipules absent; petiole 1.5–2.5 cm long; blade lanceolate, 7–8 cm × 3–3.5 cm, base rounded, with 2 small, sessile glands, apex acute to acuminate, margins toothed, almost glabrous above, whitish hairy below. Inflorescence a terminal fascicle, with male flowers at end and 2–3 female flowers at base. Flowers unisexual, regular, 5-merous, white to pale yellow; male flowers with short pedicel, sepals whitish green, stamens 13–16, free; female flowers with pedicel enlarging in fruit to c. 2 cm long, sepals enlarging in fruit, petals tiny, linear, ovary superior, 3-lobed, with reddish scales, 3-celled, styles 3, several times 2-fid at apex, orange. Fruit a 3-lobed capsule, brown hairy, 3-seeded.
== Other botanical information == ''Croton'' comprises about 1200 species and occurs throughout the warmer regions of the world. It is best represented in the Americas; in continental Africa about 65 species occur and in Madagascar about 125. Almost 40 species from Madagascar are used in medicine, and several of them are morphologically close to ''Croton nitidulus''. === ''Croton hovarum'' ===The aerial parts of ''[[Croton hovarum]]'' Leandri, cooked with chicken bones, are used to treat colic and acute weakness of the body. The leaves are toxic, and infusions of this plant are known to cause coronary vasoconstriction. A methanol extract of the leaves contained several clerodane-type furano-diterpenes. === ''Croton mocquerysii'' ===A decoction of the bitter stem bark of ''[[Croton mocquerysii]]'' A.DC. is taken to treat malaria. === ''Croton macrobuxus'' ===A leafy twig infusion of ''[[Croton macrobuxus]]'' Baill. (synonym: ''Croton sambiranensis'' Leandri) is taken to treat asthma attacks. The aerial parts contain several steroids and triterpenes, but few alkaloids.
== 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 nitidulus''' Baker. [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)]]