Hogwort
Croton capitatus
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © sedge (iNaturalist #20806305)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus:
- Croton
- Species:
- Croton capitatus
- USDA Symbol:
- CRCA6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 250 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Aetia bipunctella, Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Soybean Looper (Pseudoplusia includens), Goatweed Leafwing (Anaea andria), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Pioneer species that colonizes disturbed and burned areas; increases after fire in prairies and open woodlands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to dry, open areas like prairies and roadsides
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; warm soil temperatures improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI