Hogwort, Woolly Croton, Doveweed, Goatweed, Texas Goatweed

Croton capitatus

KROH-ton  kap-ih-TAY-tus

Synonyms of Croton capitatus (8) (Updated on 12-17-23 from Plants of the World Online): Croton capitatus var. genuinus Müll.Arg. (1866)(not. validly publ.), Croton subtomentosis Shecut (1806)(nom. illeg.), Heptallon capitatum (Michx.) Raf. (1838), Heptallon fruticosum Raf. (1840), Heptallon graveolens Raf. (1825), Heptallon lanceolatum Raf. (1840), Oxydectes capitata (Michx.) Kuntze (1891), Pilinophytum capitatum (Michx.) Klotzsch (1841)

Croton capitatus Michx. is the accepted scientific name for the Hogwort. It was named and described by André Michaux in Flora Boreali-Americana in 1803.

The genus, Croton L., was named as such and described by Carl von Linnaeus in the second edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-17-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 1,150 species in the Croton genus. It is a member of the plant family Euphorbiaceae with 228 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.  

The above distribution map for Croton capitatus from Plants of the World Online shows the same range as the map on the USDA Plants Database. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple is where it has been introduced. The map on the Plants of the World Online page for the species shows it has also been introduced to New South Wales, Australia. The species may be found in other areas but has not been reported yet. 

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE A FEW LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH POSITIVE ID.

There were a few small colonies of Croton capitatus growing in the pasture toward the back of the farm when the above photo was taken on July 16 in 2019. This interesting species is commonly known as Hogwort, Wooly Croton, Goatweed, and probably others. Its branched stems are covered with light brown or white, star-shaped (stellate), wooly hairs that give it a whitish appearance.

Croton capitatus is found throughout Missouri, most of the midwest eastward, and up into Canada. It is likely it has a broader range than maps show because it is often neglected in the field. In grassy areas with taller vegetation, you wouldn’t even notice it from a distance since it doesn’t have flashy flowers to attract attention. In overgrazed pastures, however, they will be some of the last plants standing as livestock don’t like their bitter-tasting leaves. 

Croton capitatus is easily recognized from its grayish-green leaves covered with short stellate hairs and weird flowers. I have identified 11 species (so far) in the plant family Euphorbiaceae, and they all have weird flowers. 

Information online says this species is common in glades (open areas in woodlands), upland and sand prairies, pastures (especially overgrazed pastures), dry ditches fields, farmyards, along railroads, roadsides, etc… Here on the farm and a friend’s farm, they grow in full sun and seem to be very drought tolerant.

Croton capitatus is a multi-branched plant that can grow to a height of 3’, more or less, in favorable conditions but is usually half that size. The branches usually form about halfway up the main stem. The plant’s stem and branches are densely covered with short stellate (star-shaped) hairs. Many of the hairs on the lower part of the stem of plants I have photographed have been missing. The hairs are easily rubbed off when handling and can cause eye irritation.

The leaves grow alternately along the stems from approximately 1 1/2” long petioles (leaf stems). The leaves grow up to about 5” long, are lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, triangular lanceolate, or triangular-ovate in shape, and taper to a rounded, bluntly or sharply pointed tip. The margins are smooth or slightly wavy below the midpoint. The petioles and both surfaces of the leaves are densely covered with stellate hairs.

Branches terminate with dense clusters or spikelike racemes of flowers. Plants are monoecious, meaning they produce separate male and female flowers.

The staminate (male) flowers are toward the tip while the pistillate (female) flowers are a little below.

Staminate flowers have a deeply 5-lobed calyx, 5 short white to pale cream-colored petals, 10-14 stamens, white filaments, and 10-14 whitish anthers.

The pistillate flowers don’t have petals but have 6-9 calyx lobes, a 3-locular ovary, and 3 styles that are dichotomously lobed 2-3 times equaling 12-24 stigmatic branches (lobes) (but usually only 12-16). The ovaries are round to oval in shape. Calyces and ovaries are densely covered with short stellate hairs. GEEZ! 

The 3-locular ovaries become the fruit which are about 1/4” wide. Each locule (section) produces 1 seed which splits open (dehiscent) when dry to release the seed.

Northern Bobwhite Quail and other birds eat the seeds.

My thanks to the Missouri Plants and Bioimages websites for providing such great photos. Missouri Plants is a great website for great photos and descriptions. Missouri Plants has always been my number-one site for wildflower identification since I started identifying wildflowers on the farm. Hopefully, I can take close-ups of my own to replace what I have borrowed…

We had a long hot and dry summer in 2023. Most of the wildflowers on the farm fizzled out from the heat and drought by midsummer, but I managed to find a few Croton capitatus. Their leaves were shriveled due to the lack of rain.

Hopefully, the summer of 2024 will be better so I can take more and better photos.

There are a few more photos at the bottom of the page.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the family farm and in other areas. I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the blog). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
iNATURALIST
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
GO BOTANY
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂

A FEW MORE PHOTOS…