Codiaeum variegatum 變葉木

Euphorbiaceae 大戟科

Garden Croton, Variegated Leafcroton1

灑金榕、變色葉2,3

POISONOUS PARTS

Whole plant, especially the sap.4,5

TOXICITY

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment.

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Shrubs, up to 3 m tall; branches with leaf scars. Leaves thinly leathery, 5–30 × 0.3–8 cm, very variable in shape and size, usually marked with white, yellow or red. Racemes axillary, 8–30 cm long, flowers with sepals. Male flowers petals 5, white, stamens 20–30. Female flowers yellowish, petals absent, styles recurved. Capsules about 9 mm in diameter, slightly flattened.9

MEDICINAL USES

Leaves and roots used in TCM: dissipate stasis and disperse swelling, clear heat and regulate the lung. Recommended dose: 3–6 g.2

LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Diterpene esters can be detected by LC-MS/MS.10