Species of flowering plant
Croton monanthogynus is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family. The undersides are gray. It is a summer annual[1] that produces small, inconspicuous flowers. The plant is monoecious and has both male and female reproductive organs in separate clusters on the same plant. Its leaves are alternate.[2][3] It is native to the southeastern United States and the southern Great Plains. It is considered adventive in more northern states.[4] AL, AR, AZ, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV.[5][6]
The plant in is found in sunny, dry habitats, of both disturbed and high-quality areas.[7] Its common names include prairie tea, one-seed croton, dove weed, and prairie goatweed.[5] Other plant characteristics include alternate leaf arrangement, (or phyllotaxis) and a tap root. It is an annual and it has entire leaf margins, The type of fruit is a capsule, sepals exist on the flowers. The flowers are small and white. It possess glands that emit an unpleasant odor.[8] The plant may grow 6 inches to 3 feet and blooms April through September.[5] The seeds are black.[9]
The plant prefers full sun, dry conditions, and poor soil.[8]
The plant can have a bushy appearance with a flattened top. Dwarf plants may instead, grow to than 6" tall. Croton monanthogynus provides food for wildlife. These species will feed on seeds: sparrows, mourning dove, wild turkey, prairie chicken, bobwhite, and cowbird.[8]
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