Łódź, Palmiarnia greenhouse

Synonym 'Croton variegatum'. Native to Malaysia and the Pacific islands. Ornamental plant. Pot plant. Herbal plant - leaves are abortifacient, antiamoebic, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, antioxidant, emmenagogue, purgative and sedative; a decoction of the crushed leaves is used in the treatment of diarrhoea; chewing three leaves and then swallowing the juice is used to stimulate menstrual flow, to induce an abortion or to facilitate parturition; the leaf sap is drunk and also applied topically to treat a snake bite; the sap of the leaves, combined with coconut milk, is used in the treatment of syphylitic lesions; the young leaves, combined with Pandanus macroieacceretia, coconut milk and the root sap of Areca catechu, is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea; the green liquid from boiled leaves is used as a wash to ease fevers; the sap from the leaves or the bark is used to treat sores and fungal infections; A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of gastric ulcers; the root, combined with betel nut (Areca catechu) is chewed as a treatment for stomachache and to give temporary relief from toothache; the leaf sap can cause contact dermatitis in some people; consumption of the seeds can be fatal to children.