Abstract
A taxonomic and nomenclatural review of the genus Croton (Euphorbiaceae) in the Mexican state of Michoacán is presented. Six sections and 20 species are here reported. The greatest diversity is in the Balsas Depression province, where at least 12 species occur. There is a strong tendency to thrive in tropical deciduous forest. An identification key is provided, and for each species, the following information is included: protologue citation, type information, habit, habitat, and elevation within the state, regional and global distribution, and phenology. Relevant synonyms are listed, as too are herbarium specimens. Lectotypes are designated for Croton draco, C. niveus, and C. calvescens. One species, Croton rojasii, is described as new and illustrated with photos. It is known only from tropical deciduous forest in the Zicuirán-Infiernillo Biosphere Reserve, at elevations from 400 to 700 m. It belongs to sect. Geiseleria and is remarkable because of the strongly unequal pistillate sepals, the larger of which becoming accrescent and exceeding the fruit.
Highlights
Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae) contains approximately 1200 species and is one of the most diverse genera of flowering plants [1,2]
Important advances have been made on the understanding of the phylogenetics and classification of the genus, in particular van Ee et al [2]. These authors recognize three subgenera, 31 sections, and 712 species in the New World, of which all subgenera and 14 sections occur in Mexico
This study is based on the examination of approximately 350 herbarium specimens housed in ARIZ, CIMI, EBUM, ENCB, IEB, MEXU, MICH, QMEX, and RSA, acronyms according to Thiers [16]
Summary
Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae) contains approximately 1200 species and is one of the most diverse genera of flowering plants [1,2]. The aptly named Croton ciliatoglandulifer is unmistakable among our species by possessing stipitate glands (colleters) along the leaf margin, stipules, and pistillate sepals.
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