Balsam (Croton flavens, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1276 (1759))

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1276 (1759)

Year: 1759

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Croton

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: S. Mexico to Honduras, Caribbean to Venezuela

Description

Balsam, scientifically recognized as Croton flavens, belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. This resilient plant has a broad geographic distribution, primarily found from southern Mexico through Honduras and widely dispersed throughout the Caribbean extending to Venezuela. Its inclusion in the renowned compendium, Systema Naturae (10th edition, 2: 1276, published in 1759) by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus, marks its recognized importance in botanical studies.

Balsam thrives in tropical climates, favoring the warm temperatures of its native regions. This adaptability has facilitated its widespread presence across various landscapes within its range. The plant is typically characterized by its distinct foliage and robust nature, making it an important subject for both botanical research and horticultural interest.

In traditional contexts, Croton flavens has been utilized for various purposes, often linked to its reputed medicinal properties. However, its exact applications can vary significantly across different cultures and communities within its distribution range.

Overall, Balsam (Croton flavens) stands out as a noteworthy species within the Euphorbiaceae family, representing the rich biodiversity and ecological complexity of the tropical regions it inhabits.

Common Names

Eng: balsam, copaiba, rock-sage, yellow balsam, yellow croton, hoggabush, marrow, moron, wormbush
Nld: wilde salie
En: Balsam, Rock-sage, Yellow balsam, Copaiba, Yellow croton, Hoggabush, Marrow, Moron, Wormbush
Nl: Wilde Salie

Synonyms

• Croton balsamifer (Jacq.)
• Croton mauralis (E.H.L.Krause)
• Croton leprosus (Spreng. ex Griseb.)
• Oxydectes flocculosa ((Geiseler) Kuntze)
• Oxydectes althaeifolia ((Mill.) Kuntze)
• Croton cascarilla (Lam.)
• Croton althaeifolius (Mill.)
• Croton rigidus ((Müll.Arg.) Britton)
• Semilta althaeifolia ((Mill.) Raf.)
• Croton padifolius (Geiseler)
• Croton lamarckianus (Moldenke)
• Croton flavens f. richardii (Griseb.)
• Croton mucronatus (Willd.)
• Croton rhamnifolius var. antillanus (Müll.Arg.)
• Oxydectes astroites ((Willd.) Kuntze)
• Oxydectes albida ((Müll.Arg.) Kuntze)
• Croton flavens var. mucronatus ((Willd.) Müll.Arg.)
• Croton flavens var. pallidus (Müll.Arg.)
• Croton flavens var. balsamifer ((Jacq.) Müll.Arg.)
• Croton astroites (Willd.)
• Croton flavens var. genuinus (Müll.Arg.)
• Croton richardii (Willd.)
• Croton flavens var. rigidus (Müll.Arg.)
• Croton albidus (Müll.Arg.)
• Oxydectes flavens ((L.) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 12, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2021 by Mélanie Herteman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Luana Mendes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Luana Mendes (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 4, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2020 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by Valero Omar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2022 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 4, 2020 by claire Felloni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2020 by Alejandro Alexis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2021 by Mélanie Herteman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Luana Mendes (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken May 8, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2021 by Mélanie Herteman (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 8, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2021 by Mélanie Herteman (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 4, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:342537-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3057734)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Croton flavens L.)

Specifications

Growth