Croton capitatus, or Wooly croton, is similar in appearance and growth habit to its cousin Croton punctatus, but its leaves are oblong rather than rounded. Its common name comes from the delicate hairs on its leaves that give it a silvery cast.
It thrives in sandy soils but is common – and regarded as a noxious weed – throughout the midwest. Its foliage is toxic to wildlife but apparently bitter enough that few are tempted to eat it.
References
Tony Driver, & Lawrence R. Oliver. (1985). Control of Woolly Croton (Croton capitatus) in Soybean (Glycine max). Weed Science, 33(5), 727-729.
