[ 'krəʊt(ə)n ]
■ noun
1》 a strong-scented tree, shrub, or herbaceous plant, native to tropical and warm regions. [Genus Croton .]
2》 a small evergreen tree or shrub of the Indo-Pacific region, with colourful foliage. [Genus Codiaeum .]
Origin
mod. L., from Gk krotōn 'sheep tick' (from the shape of the seeds of the ~ in sense 1).