Croton wigginsii
Wiggins' croton
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Family: Euphorbiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Croton wigginsii (Wiggins' croton) is a native California shrub in the Euphorbiaceae family, recognized by endemic to se Imperial County sand dunes.
Wiggins' croton is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native shrub found in southeastern Imperial County's sand dunes at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers with stellate (star-shaped) hairs. Growing as a compact subshrub less than one meter tall, it has a dioecious nature with separate male and female plants. Its narrow elliptic to linear-oblong leaves range from 2 to 8.5 centimeters long, with rounded or obtuse tips and petioles 1 to 4 centimeters in length. The seeds are smooth, measuring 6.5 to 7 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with no sympatric species; endemic to se Imperial County sand dunes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand dunes
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Imperial, Riverside
Outside California: Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Croton wigginsii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Tidestromia: Croton leaves feel scurfy from star-hairs; Tidestromia leaves are smooth and succulent-like.; vs Encelia: Croton has 3-part capsule fruits; Encelia has daisy-like flower heads with ray petals.; vs Eriogonum: Croton has alternate leaves; buckwheat leaves are whorled or basal rosettes.; vs Verbascum: Croton has smooth leaf edges; mullein leaves have wavy or toothed edges.; vs Marrubium: Croton stems are round; horehound stems are square with opposite leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Croton wigginsii native to California?
Yes. Croton wigginsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Croton wigginsii bloom?
Croton wigginsii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Croton wigginsii grow?
Croton wigginsii occurs in Imperial, Riverside, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Croton wigginsii belong to?
Croton wigginsii is in the Euphorbiaceae family, genus Croton.
Is Croton wigginsii rare or endangered?
Croton wigginsii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.