Euphorbiaceae (Croton)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Croton (californicus)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Euphorbiaceae

Family Common Name:
Spurge Family

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Croton

Species:
californicus

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
Muell.-Arg.

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

Betty Young

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

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Other Information:

Common Name:
California Croton

Species Code:
CROCAL

Ecotype:
Marin County, California

General Distribution:
C. californicus is found in dry sandy places and washes below 4,000 feet elevation; from San Francisco south to Lower California.

Known Invasiveness:

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:
2 inch pot

Grow Time:
0

Target Specifications:
Height: N/A
Caliper: N/A
Root System: Firm plug in container.

Propagation Collection:
Seeds are collected between July 15th and November 17th.
Mature seeds are brown with tan spots.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Seed Cleaning:Shake chaff away from seeds by hand.
Storage Conditions: Seeds are kept dry and stored in a refrigerator.
Seeds/gram: 30

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Soak seeds for 24 hours in water and cold stratify for 30 days.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Fully Controlled Greenhouse.
Sowing Method: Transplanting Germinants.
Seeds are sown in flats containing Sunshine Mix #4 Aggregate Plus (peat moss, perlite, major and minor nutrients, gypsum, and dolomitic lime).
Seeds are mixed with media to sow and are covered well so radicles do not emerge above soil line.
Flats are watered in with an automatic irrigation system.
Seeds are sown on June 1st.
% Germination: 40%

Establishment Phase:
Seeds germinate 30 days after sowing.
Seedlings are transplanted 30 days after germination to individual containers (2 inch pots) containing standard potting mix of peat moss, fir bark, perlite, and sand.

Length of Establishment Phase:

Active Growth Phase:

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Hardening Phase:

Length of Hardening Phase:

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:

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Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:

References:
A California Flora and Supplement, Munz, P., University of California Press, Berkeley and London, 1973.

Citation:
Young, Betty. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Croton californicus Muell.-Arg. plants 2 inch pot; San Francisco, California. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/25). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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