Virginia Tech Dendrology

Alabama croton Euphorbiaceae Croton alabamensis E.A. Sm. ex Chapm. symbol: CRAL3
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen (older foliage turns red in fall), oblong to ovate, entire, 2 to 3 inches long, green above (with some silvery scales) and silvery white below and on the petiole, smells like apples when crushed.
Flower: Small, round, with silvery pale green bracts, with conspicuous yellow anthers or pistils, occur in 1 to 2 inch long clusters at the ends of twigs, appearing in early spring.
Fruit: Small (1/4 inch), light brownish-green (some silvery scales), 3-parted, round shoulders.
Twig: Moderate, gray with numerous silvery scales, later turning reddish brown; buds small.
Bark: Gray-green, smooth with shallow peeling layers.
Form: Sprawling small shrub up to 6 feet.

Additional Range Information: Croton alabamensis is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information