Croton triqueter Lam.

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Photo: Ishmael Sithole
Mapembe Nature Reserve, Zimbabwe

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Synonyms:	Cicca triquetra (Lam.) Kuntze Croton cordatus Vell. Julocroton phagedaenicus Mart. Julocroton triqueter (Lam.) Didr.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Introduced
Description:	Shrub up to 3 m. Leaves ovate-triangular, 8-12 cm long, shortly and densely stellate-pubescent above, finely stellate-pubescent beneath, more or less cordate at the base; margin crenate; petiole 3-4 cm long, later becoming as along as the leaf blade. Flowers in almost cone-like spikes, 2.5-3.5 cm long; male petals linear-spathulate with hairy filaments. Fruiting calyx segments ovate, deeply pinnate-lacerate. Fruit a capsule, 4 mm long.
Notes:	The following notes have been provided by Ishmael Sithole who first reported the existence of this species as a naturalised plant. It is however very much doubtful whether this really concerns this plant or involves a mix-up with another, unrelated, fairly recent and aggressive invader: Vernonanthura polyanthes. So far records of C. triqueter have been few in both Zimbabwe and Mozambique but the species could very well have the potential to become invasive. "The plant is widespread in the eastern highlands of Manicaland, stretching from Nyanga to Chipinge via Vumba and Chimanimani. It's proving to be very invasive in these highlands with spectacular rapid growth. It takes over pastures and lumbered areas at amazing speed if left unattended. However, it's a darling for bees, rich in nectar and pollen producing a honey with a light almost colourless hue and with very low moisture content and thick viscosity. It is even more pronounced in Mozambique, especially in Sussundenga District, in areas like Chizizira and Samora. I had the opportunity to visit these areas in Feb training beekeepers there and they praise it for its nectar and pollen which make the district of Sussundenga a major producer of honey with a light hue."
Derivation of specific name:	triqueter: 3-cornered or 3-angled
Habitat:
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Native in Mexico to Venezuela and Bolivia,
Zimbabwe distribution:	E
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Sunday 25 June 2017
Literature:	Macbride, J.F. (1951). Flora of Peru: Euphorbiaceae Botanical Series 13 (3A/1) Field Museum of Natural History Pages 90 - 91.

Other sources of information about Croton triqueter:

Our websites:

Flora of Mozambique: Croton triqueter

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Croton triqueter
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Croton triqueter
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Croton triqueter
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Croton triqueter
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Croton triqueter
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Croton triqueter
JSTOR Plant Science: Croton triqueter
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Croton triqueter
Plants of the World Online: Croton triqueter
Tropicos: Croton triqueter
Wikipedia: Croton triqueter