ˈkrōt ə n noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek krotōn tick, castor-oil plant
1. capitalized : a genus of herbs and shrubs of the spurge family with stellate-pubescent foliage and small dioecious flowers — see cascarilla , croton oil
2. -s
a. : a plant of the genus Croton
b. : a plant of the related genus Codiaeum (especially C. variegatum )