Croton - Moral
Thai Croton Hybrids

Garden Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ;Fam.EUPHORBIACEAE ) is actually not an indigenous species of Thailand . In Thai language , we call them “ Go-son’ , deviated from a 100 year old name “Gro-Tron” which was obviously derived from Croton.
The ratio of broad base leaf is more three wideness leaf than leaf length but not over five wideness. Leaf margins are entire or undulate. Leaf tips are acuminate or obtuse.
Hastate leaf has three leaf tip and midrib consist of two branch out at left or right sides and two notches. Side tips are acuminate. Middle tip is oblanceolate resemble a leaf maple character. A leaf margin is entir
Linear leaf is long and narrow. The leaf size ratio is more five wideness leaf than leaf length. These type are Acicular , Filiform , Needle and Lingulate character. Leaf tips are acuminate or obtuse. Leaf margins are entire or undulate.
Orbicular leaf is cycle format ; resemble a coin. These type are oval , oblong and reniform character. Leaf tip usually obtuse. Leaf bases are cordate ,truncate and obtuse. It was various different sizes and turns face up or invert character. Leaf margins are entire or undulate as well.
The fancy leaf Croton was introduced into the kingdom by Phraya** Paskornwongs , who imported the first croton from India in 1880 . The first croton was named in Thai ‘Khaek Dum', meaning black Indian, and was very favorite amongst high rank courtiers since the reign of King Rama the Fifth. The photo of a croton above was the first round-leaf Thai croton 'Ayudthaya' , derived fom cross hybridization between ‘Khaek Dum' and unknown naturally
Croton Catalogue
After quite a period of time , Khaek Dum was distributed throughout the kingdom . Cross pollination were so popular that it turned to be a high expectant – high competitive hobby , resulted in the explosion of many new Thai-originated croton hybrids .Croton Show and Competitions were held many times a year in major cities since then.

Though crotons are renowned in amazing capability to produce various leaf types ie. shapes, colors and patterns , Thai people always prefer round leaf croton to any other leaf forms. Hence the ultimate goal for Thai hybridizers is to create a new hybrid bearing largest and most colorful round leaf Croton. Other leaf forms of Thai hybrids are spiral , interrupted (intermittently missing leaf blade) , recurved leaf - leaves curl back on themselves , or amazingly mix of all leaf types . Western hybrids with such leaf types as broad leaf , Oak leaf , narrow leaf etc. seem tasteless for Thai enthusiasts.
The trend of Thai Croton hybrids at this moment is shifting from simple round leaf to complex leaf Croton . However , the constancy is a must . That means if a new hybrids produce 2 round leaves and then 1 spiral leaf , this sequence must be sustainable . Croton - Spiral Leaves
Classification of Croton Leaves

Leaf croton is simple leaf and petiolate attached to branch. Leaf arrangement is alternate, palmate venation. Color of leaf can be shown for identity of varieties. Leaf shapes of croton were classified into three types according to criterion as following :
Orbicular leaf , Linear leaf and another differential leaves.
Croton