Leucocroton havanensis

Leucocroton havanensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Euphorbiaceae
Genus:	Leucocroton
Species:	L. havanensis
Binomial name
	Leucocroton havanensis; Borhidi

Last updated August 21, 2025

Leucocroton havanensis is an endemic species to Cuba. It is located on serpentine soils and limestone rock in the western and central part of the country. It is an evergreen tree that has dioecious flowering, meaning the species has distinct male and female individuals. The plant only grows on a small serpentine island.

Cultivation and uses

Scientists have discovered that the genus Leucocroton is a nickel hyperaccumulator, which means it can absorb dangerous amounts of nickel.^[1]^[2]

References

↑ Reeves, R.D.; Baker, A.J.M; Borhidi, A.; Berazain, R. (15 December 1995). "Nickel-accumulating plants from the ancient serpentine soils of Cuba". New Phytologist. 133 (2). New Phytologist Trust: 217–224. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1996.tb01888.x .
↑ Jestrow, Brett (12 November 2010). Phylogenetics, Conservation, and Historical Biogeography of the West Indian Members of the Adelieae (Euphorbiaceae) (Ph.D. thesis). Florida International University. Retrieved 6 February 2015.

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[newphyto-1] Reeves, R.D.; Baker, A.J.M; Borhidi, A.; Berazain, R. (15 December 1995). "Nickel-accumulating plants from the ancient serpentine soils of Cuba". New Phytologist. 133 (2). New Phytologist Trust: 217–224. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1996.tb01888.x .

[Jestrow-2] Jestrow, Brett (12 November 2010). Phylogenetics, Conservation, and Historical Biogeography of the West Indian Members of the Adelieae (Euphorbiaceae) (Ph.D. thesis). Florida International University. Retrieved 6 February 2015.

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