Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Croton mutisianus
Fuelwood
Lumber
Medicinal
Ornamental
Product
Colombian Common Name
Drago, Guacamayo, Croton, Crotón, Sangre de drago, Sangregado
Tree Family
Euphorbiaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
20cm
Length
×
12cm
Width
Tree Height
Medium (20–35m)
Elevational Range (m)
1080–2900m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Colombia
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Colombia, Ecuador
Colombia
Antioquia, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Huila, Quindío, Risaralda
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Unknown
Cultivation
Planted
Natural
Tree Management
Propagated by seeds. It is fast-growing.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Fuelwood
- Lumber
- Medicinal
- Ornamental
- Product
The exudate is used as a wound healer, antidiarrheal, and anti-inflammatory for gastritis. Used to adorn and decorate spaces. Used as firewood. Used for sawmills, packing boxes, and coffins
Farm Services
- Coffee Shade
- Reforestation
- Water Protection
Shade in silvopastoral systems.
Used for water protection and decontamination. Useful in restoration as it is a pioneer species and for use as living fences.
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
Attracts biological control agents, Attracts seed dispersers, Attracts pollinators. IFruits attract species like yellow-eared parrots (Ognorhynchus icterotis), and its seeds attract ground doves (Leptotila sp. and Geotrygon sp.). Flowers are melliferous.
Citations
Citations
Plants of the World Online (POWO). (2024). Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/;
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (2024). IUCN Red List. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.iucnredlist.org/;
Fern, Ken (2024). Tropical Plants Database. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/;
Universidad EIA. (2024). Catálogo virtual de Flora del Valle de Aburrá. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://catalogofloravalleaburra.eia.edu.co/;
World Flora Online. (2024). World Flora Online. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.worldfloraonline.org/;
Universidad Nacional de Colombia. (2024). Nombres Comunes de las Plantas de Colombia. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.biovirtual.unal.edu.co/nombrescomunes/es/;
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). (2024). GBIF. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.gbif.org/es/
Sistema de Información sobre Biodiversidad de Colombia (SIB) (2024). Catálogo de la Biodiversidad. Retrieved from: https://catalogo.biodiversidad.co/
Espinosa, R., & López, A. M. (2019). Árboles nativos importantes para la conservación de la biodiversidad.
Cenicafé. https://doi.org/10.38141/cenbook-0004
Giraldo P, Laina A, López JH, Aguirre JF, Toro J. (2009). Café, una alternativa para la Conservación. Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF Colombia, Asociación Red Colombiana de Reservas Naturales de la Sociedad Civil, Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia