This southeastern native was first discovered in 1877 during a study of natural resources in Bibb County, Alabama. Previously unidentified, a sample branch was collected and forwarded to a botanist who was also unable to identify. However, based on the local where it was discovered, its resemblance to spurge, its three-parted fruits and the distinctive floral characteristics, it was named Alabama Croton. In addition to being rare in the wild, and has also been deemed the rarest shrub in North America. It is also difficult to find in plant nurseries. But it’s worth the quest. It is a loose, open, semi-deciduous shrub, reaching around six feet in height with a spreading, mounding habit. The foliage is bright green above and silvery below, with the older leaves turning a showy pumpkin-orange in the fall. The foliage is also quite fragrant, described as resembling apples or bananas. In some milder climates, the foliage may remain on the plant with showy green to orange coloring. The foliage also allows the plant to survive in extremely dry conditions. The glistening silver scales of the leaf underside allows it to reflect sunlight which in turn reduces the plant's heat load. The small, yellow-green flowers are similar to those of poinsettia (minus the large colorful bracts), and both belong to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Other shared characteristics include milky sap and relative immunity from deer damage. Each plant has separate male and female flowers produced on the same branch Alabama croton tolerates some degree of neglect and dryness, but semi-shade with moist but well-drained organic soils represent optimal conditions. Your biggest challenge in cultivating this plant will be keeping more aggressive shrubs and vines from overgrowing it. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Low branches that a left to touch the ground can form roots when contact with the ground is made. This method of propagation is known as air layering.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Open; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong; Obovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Fragrant; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The apple-green leaves are few, and have a scaly, silvery underside and are often clustered at the ends of the branches. Oldest leaves turn brilliant orange in the fall. A banana-apple fragrance can be experienced when the leaves are crushed.
Fall color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Yellow-green flowers on 1-1.5" raceme. Drupe.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a three angled capsule or drupe.
Bark color
Dark Gray; Light Gray
Bark detail
Smooth, thin gray bark
Stem detail
Typically, a single trunk with multiple stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Southern US Native, specifically Alabama
Distribution
AL, TN, TX
Wildlife value
Many pollinators frequent this plant including beetles and bees.