Croton gibsonianus

Croton gibsonianus Nimmo, Cat. Pl. Bombay 251 1839. (syn: Oxydectes gibsoniana (Nimmo) Kuntze);
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India (Maharashtra) as per POWO;
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Common name: Gibson’s Croton
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Request to add Croton gibsonianus is the eflora website:

Sharing photographs of Croton gibsonianus, an interesting tree species for incorporation in the website.

This is so far the only endemic tree of northern Western Ghats and Maharashtra which we rediscovered from Harishchandragad after 170 years! The beautiful tree grows among semi- evergreen hilltop patches at Harishchandragad along water streams at 1200 m. Sharing description, more details and attaching photos below.

We found that what all previous authors treated as Croton gibsonianus is actually a hitherto undescribed species now named as Croton chakrabartyi Dhabak & Nandikar. Will share that in separate email.

Description – A monoecious tree, up to 6 m high. Leaves alternate, distichous, lamina ovate, margin entire, with two stipitate glands at base, characteristically tri-nerved (actinodromous) at the base. Inflorescence terminal racemes of ca. 5 cm; male flowers: sepals 5, ovate; petals 5, reflexed, membranous, cream to yellowish; stamens 15–21, in two whorls; nectaries 5, orange-red, cordate; female flowers: sepals accrescent; petals rudimentary; ovary ovoid; style 3, inconspicuous; stigma linear, stigmatic arm 3, bifid twice. Capsule greenish yellow, tricoccus, ovoid to subglobose; seeds 3, 1 per locule, ellipsoid.

Date/Time-  16/10/2021
Location- Place, Altitude, GPS- Harishchandragad
Habitat- Garden/ Urban/ Wild/ Type- Wild
Plant Habit- Tree/ Shrub/ Climber/ Herb- Tree
Height/Length- up to 6 meter
Leaves Type/ Shape/ Size- Bifarious, ovate,
Inflorescence Type/ Size- Terminal raceme
Flowers Size/ Colour/ Calyx/ Bracts-  Cream to Yellowish
Fruits Type/ Shape/ Size Seeds- Capsule
Other Information like Fragrance, Pollinator, Uses etc.-

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Croton gibsonianus in Flora of Peninsular India:
Croton gibsonianus in Flora of Peninsular India needs to be corrected in view of discussions at Croton chakrabartyi Dhabak & Nandikar
Pl. see actual Croton gibsonianus Nimmo

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Thank you very much Sir. We will make necessary correction at the earliest.

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References: POWO  Catalogue of Life  The Plant List Ver.1.1  WCSP  IPNI  Flowers of India  mongabay