Croton
a genus of Euphorbiaceæ the typical one of the tribe Crotoneæ. typical one of the tribe Crotoneӕ.
Some are trees, others bushes, and yet others herbaceous plants; the leaves and variable.
They occur in the warmer parts of both hemispheres. Some are spheres. Some are purgative. A decocis used in Brazil as a cure for syphilis and as a diuretic. The purgative root of C. campestris, and the leaves and bark of C. origanifolius, are diaphoretic and antispastic. The wood of and used against syphilis; the seeds are purgative. The Pavana, two East Indian trees, is so acrid as to blister the skin. They are used as diuretics and purgatives. Many are balsamic. C. balin the preparation of the liquid called eau de mantes. Frankincense is extracted from C. thurifer and C. adipatus, which grow on the Amazon. C. humilis, found in the West Indies, has aromatic qualities, and baths. C. gratissimus is fragrant, and is used as a per- CROUP fume by the Koras in south Africa. The balsam of C. origanifolius is employed as a substitute for copaiva. C. cascarilla is aromatic. Yet others have a coloring matter. C. Draco and C. sanguiferum furnish a red substance like gum-lac. C.
Jamaica bush, was thought to furnish the cascarilla of commerce, which is now known to be derived from a Bahama shrub; that of Mexico comes from C. pseudo-China; and cascarilloides, micans, and suberosus might also be made to yield cascarilla.