Notable Trees of the African Bush E01: Lavender Croton (Croton gratissimus)

[@martinmcnamee4362]

Thank you for the amazing information and videos. Going through them all. Awesome awesomeness. Vast knowledge. Tha nk you!

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Thank you so much for those kind words! Massively appreciated!

[@EdenCroft]

I've never heard of or come across this species before. Thank you for the wonderful information. I find the fragrant water application particularly interesting. I bet that would have great appeal for natural cleaning products if there was a way to sustainably harvest the leaves or actually cultivate the bush on a larger scale to create hydrosols.

[@MaxLemayian]

Looks a lot like (Croton dichogamus) commonly found in the savannah areas of Kenya.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Yes, they're first cousins, so no surprise at the family resemblance!

[@mandyconnecteddogs]

just purchased one . live in south Africa

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Very cool!

[@tefocharlesmodise9937]

Hi, thanks for the info. I just found this tree in a friend's yard in South Botswana and I fell in love with it. I just did a google reverse image search and that's how i found the name and ended down this rabbit hole. I want to plant it...can i just throw the berries in some soil and have it grow? A few of them have popped into some white flowers.

[@tefocharlesmodise9937]

Might I add that his tree is about 8m tall, never seen it this big before.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Here is some advice on growing this tree: Growing Croton gratissimus The seed should be collected just before it is dispersed and stored in a dry closed container where it will open spontaneously. The seed should be sown in a well drained open seedling mixture and covered lightly with the same mixture or fine sand. The trays should be kept in a light place and watered regulary but not kept too wet until germination takes place (usually between 3-4weeks). Once the seedlings have established watering should be reduced and a fungicide may be applied to prevent damping off. Seedlings should be allowed to grow to approximately 50 mm before being transplanted into individual containers. Saplings are slow growing at first but the growth rate increases, as the plants get older. Plants may be planted out into the garden once they are 600 mm or taller.

[@jeffreyscanlan839]

Kind of reminds me of the Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) that we have around here. No beautiful fragrance, but it has that whitish silver abaxial surface, that you can spot from a distance when the wind is blowing.

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

One day Jeff I'll get to see some of your trees and you'll get to see some of mine!

[@jeffreyscanlan839]

@@AfricanPlantHunter That would be cool.

[@mamoyoT]

This is the chebe tree. Very good for hair

[@joy5016]

Gus in Chad it is ground to a powder and it’s great for haircare. It’s called Chebe

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Wow, thanks for sharing that! I've heard it's used in hair care, but that's the first confirmation I've received. Thank you!

[@leipirates-gowe1211]

very educative indeed! is this the same croton sold by garden centres as shade trees?

[@AfricanPlantHunter]

Not exactly. That's the forest croton (Croton sylvaticus), which is often used as a shade tree. There is also an ornamental plant, grown for its colourful leaves, which people call a "Croton", but which is in fact a completely different plant: Codiaeum variegatum. Not to be confused!

[@leipirates-gowe1211]

@@AfricanPlantHunter thus very clear indeed, thk you for taking your time

[@seratwantloedibe5381]

This is Tea ...