Orange Leaf Croton
C. dichogamus?
Observed blooming on a rocky slope on the Elgeyo Escarpment below Iten, Kenya. July 2014.
SHRUB: The numerous slender branches are
normally less than 3 meters tall.
FLOWERS: Small white flowers.
LEAVES: Leaves are lance-shaped to elliptic with very short
silvery pubescence below. As the leaves senesce, bright
orange pigments are revealed and these dying leaves remain
attached for an extended time rather than dropping.
RANGE: Reported from the Nairobi area, Massai Mara. This
example was found overlooking the Kerio Valley. There are many
Croton species, and further complicating matters the
individual species can display a wide range of phenotypes.
FRUIT: The seed pods are spherical and a little bigger
than a pea and like all spurges are three-parted.
UNARMED. Without thorns.