Croton setiger

Croton setiger, commonly referred to as turkey mullein is a heat tolerant plant that is quite common in the dry area. Well, at least it's common at the area where I live right now. The plant is amazing: 100 degrees heat and full sun and it's looking nice and green. However even this hardy plant can have too much: recently I saw few species dried to a crisp from long exposure.

Croton setiger in a desert area

So the name mullein points to similarity to common mullein. Indeed, both plants have fuzzy leaves. But that's all they have in common. These two plants are not related. Common mullein's Latin name is Verbascum thapsus and it belongs to Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). Croton is part of the Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The flowers are quite different too: verbascum has distinctive yellow flowers with 5 petals. Crotons's flowers are tiny and formed into clusters of sandy color.

Croton setiger close-up

Croton' leaves have pleasant smell when crushed, provided the plant is healthy. The leaves are fuzzy. here is the close-up of flowers:

Croton's flowers