Prairie Tea (Croton monanthogynus Michx.)

Photographic Location: Sycamore Ridge Ranch in Middle Tennessee.

This wildflower is a member of the Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae).

The foliage of Prairie Tea is reasonably attractive, while the flowers are insignificant. The common name refers to the resemblance of robust specimens to cultivated tea plants; however, the foliage is unsuitable as a source of tea. Generally, Croton spp. are typical prairie plants of the southern plains; they are less typical of eastern tall grass prairies, where they are often displaced by taller vegetation in fertile areas.

Very similar to Woolly Croton (Croton capitatus) minus the Woolly!

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