Croton californicus

 Croton californicus (sand croton) ( )

Euphorbiaceae

• The silvery coloration of the stems and leaves in many dune plants is an adaptation to the excessive solar radiation in desert regions. The leaves of some plants have a dense covering of fine hairs that give them their silvery appearance as well as a velvet-like softness. Other plants have tiny plate-like overlapping silvery scales that cover the leaves. Both these leaf surface forms aid plants in reflecting excess solar energy as well as helping control water loss. An example is seen in sand croton, an undistinguished semi-woody gray shrub 2-3 feet in height. It is a common sandy soil species that grows well in stabilized desert dunes as well as in sandy soils along the coast of southern California. Often individual shrubs collect sand around their base, forming low mounds. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."
• Perennial bush, silver-gray herbage and slender stems. Common along the shores of the northern Gulf of California including Tiburon Island; particularly abundant on coastal dunes. Dye: natural basketry splints were dyed yellow-orange by placing them in boiling sea water with sand croton, or the basket was rubbed with the leafy flowering stems. The color was not long lasting but was said to be pretty until it faded. Food Preparation: since the plant has no spines or unpleasant odor, it was spread on the ground or used to line a basket on which sea turtle or other meat was to be placed. This kept the meat clean while it was being cut up and until it was cooked or consumed. Freshly grated shellfish- such as oysters, clams, horse mussel, sea pen, and others- were spread out on a flat surface of sand or dirt. They were covered with green sand croton brush, which was then burned in order to steam the shellfish. Poison: the green plant was crushed and thrown into estero water to poison mullet. Shelter: the leafy branches were used to form a brush windbreak and for roofing of brush houses. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians. Richard Stephen Felger and Mary Beck Moser".