Croton eluteria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Croton eluteria
Scientific classification
Genus:	Croton
Species:	eluteria

Croton eluteria, known as cascarilla, is a plant species of the genus Croton that is native to the Caribbean. It has been naturalized in other tropical regions of the Americas. It grows to be a small tree or tall shrub, rarely reaching 20 feet (6 m) in height. Its leaves are scanty, alternate, ovate-lanceolate, averaging 2 inches (5 cm) long, with close scaling below, giving a metallic silver-bronze appearance, and scattered white scales above. The flowers are small, with white petals, and very fragrant, appearing in March and April. The scented bark is fissured, pale yellowish brown, and may be covered in lichen.

Cascarilla bark is also used to flavor the liqueurs Campari and Vermouth.

Chemical constituents

Cascarilla bark contains anything between 1% and 3% volatile oils, a unique series of diterpenoid compounds called cascarillins, lignins, tannin, and resins. There is also a long list of flavory terpene and diterpene compounds, including pinene, vanillin, D-limonene, and thujene.

Uses

Croton eluteria is used as a fumigant and bitter stomachic.

See also

In Spanish: Croton eluteria para niños