6/29/17:Codiaeum variegatum or Garden Croton; a flowering plant species native to “Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and the western Pacific Ocean islands”, with separate male and female inflorescences (groups of flowers) on the one plant. Known and popular for it’s unique, brightly colored leaves which come in several differing cultivars. It is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family (which I found to be interesting - most of the Euphorbes I cared for working in a greenhouse were not similar to this! But plants are immensely diverse!). This species prefers tropical climates, so it won’t survive in temperatures below 55*F or 13*C. This also means it needs to be kept more moist and watered in humid/hot environments or during the summer, while cutting back to watering 2 or 3 times a week during the winter or in a cooler environment.
