Cadiaeum variegatum

Croton is an evergreen shrub or a small tree branching from low down; it can grow up to 3 meters tall.
BARK: glabrous, multi-branched, with prominent leaf scars.
LEAVES : simple, alternate, 5 to 30 cm long and 0.5 to 8 cm wide, leathery; leaf forms highly diverse in shapes and colors, depending on the cultivar; shapes ranging from linear, linear-lanceolate, oblong, elliptic, lanceolate, ovate, spatulate, fiddle-shaped to obovate, sometimes segregated to mid-vein into upper and lower parts; colors ranging from green, chartreuse, yellow, burgundy, purple-red, to pink, sometimes speckled with colored spots or stripes of spots; petiole 0.2 to 2.5cm long.
FLOWER : inflorescences star-shaped, inconspicuous, on 8 to 30 cm long arching racemes, with male and female flowers on separate inflorescences; Male flowers white, pedicels delicate, petals 5, stamens 20 to 30; Female flowers yellow, pedicels slightly thickened, petals absent, sepals ovate-triangular, styles recurved.
FRUIT: capsules subglobose, slightly flattened, glabrous, brown, 9 mm in diameter, seeds 3; seeds 6 mm.

Medicine: leaves, leaf sap, root, and latex. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Codiaeum+variegatum

Croton is native to southern Asia, Indonesia and other Eastern Pacific islands where it grows in open forests and scrub. It grows in open forests and scrub. In the wild, Codiaeum variegatum has large, leathery, shiny leaves and the cultivated one is usually smaller and has an amazing diversity of leaf shapes and colors. In Kampala, Cadiaeum variegatum can be found along Lugogo bypass, Malcom X avenue, Ridgeway drive, within Nsibirwa hall premises among others.

Indoor plants grow slowly comparative with plants grown in a greenhouse. Crotons only need to be pruned to remove dead or unhealthy foliage or to maintain a compact size. Diseased branches should be cut off at least six inches outside of the diseased area. Spray cut ends with water or dust them with powdered charcoal to stop the flow of latex. Keep the leaves dust-free and shiny by wiping them with a damp cloth.