Excoecaria cochinchinensis

Flower name
Excoecaria cochinchinensis
Scientific name
Excoecaria cochinchinensis
Alias青紫木, Chinese croton
Place of originVietnam
Place of floweringBotanical Gardens, Overseas, Subtropical region, Ornamental plants
Flowering seasonApril, May, June, July, August, September, October

What is Excoecaria cochinchinensis

Seishiboku (Excoecaria cochinchinensis) is a subtropical evergreen shrub of the family Euphorbiaceae, native to Vietnam. In English, it is commonly known as the Chinese croton or Blindness tree.
The plant grows to a height of 1–2 meters, with woody stems. The leaves are papery, glossy, and measure 6–14 cm in length and 2–5.5 cm in width. They are ovate-lanceolate to obovate-lanceolate in shape, with a deep green upper surface and a reddish-purple underside, featuring veins and serrated edges. Due to its striking leaf coloration, it is a popular ornamental plant.
Seishiboku is a dioecious plant, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants. From April to October, it produces small yellow flowers without petals on spike-like inflorescences emerging from leaf axils. The flowers are too tiny to be considered ornamental.

Origin of the Name
The genus name Excoecaria is derived from the Latin word ex-coecaria, meaning "to blind," referring to the plant’s sap and smoke, which can cause temporary blindness upon contact with the eyes. The species name cochinchinensis comes from "Cochinchina," an old name for Vietnam, its country of origin.

Flower Language (Symbolism)
"Dangerous Beauty"

Cultivars
A cultivated variety called Firestorm exists.

General Information
Common Name: Seishiboku (青紫木)
Scientific Name: Excoecaria cochinchinensis
English Name: Chinese croton, Blindness tree
Classification: Kingdom Plantae → Angiosperms → Eudicots → Malpighiales → Euphorbiaceae → Excoecaria
Growth Type: Subtropical evergreen shrub
Native to: Vietnam
Sunlight Requirements: Partial shade
Height: 1–2 m
Stem: Woody
Leaf Characteristics:
Texture: Papery, glossy
Color: Dark green (upper side), reddish-purple (underside)
Shape: Ovate-lanceolate to obovate-lanceolate
Veins: Present
Size: 6–14 cm (length), 2–5.5 cm (width)
Edge: Serrated
Arrangement: Opposite
Flowering: Dioecious (separate male and female plants)
Blooming Season: April–October
Inflorescence Type: Spike
Petals: None
Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Diameter: 0.2 cm
Corolla Shape: Tiny
Fruit: Spherical, 0.8 cm in diameter
Introduced to Japan: Early Meiji period
Propagation: Cuttings
Uses: Ornamental plant, houseplant, greenhouse plant, hedge, fish poison, traditional medicine (for gastric ulcers, hemostasis, and deworming)
Toxicity: Poisonous sap—causes skin eczema