Tropic croton may be found throughout the southeastern United States. First true leaves are round to oval in outline and have margins that are toothed. Alternate, oval in outline when young, lance-shaped to elliptic in outline with maturity, approximately to 2 inches long, and have margins that are sharply serrated or toothed. Leaves occur on short petioles and have a white, disc-like gland on each side of the petiole where the petioles attach to the central stem. Leaves that occur below flowers appear whorled and upper and lower leaf surfaces have hairs that take on a star-shaped appearance.
Leaves emit a distinctive odor when crushed.
Branching, becoming reddish brown with age, and covered with hairs. Terminal white flowers that are approximately inch long occur at the ends of stems. Summer annual with serrated leaves and white, disc-like glands that occur above and below the petiole at the point of attachment to the stem. Additionally, the stems of tropic croton are much more hairy than those of prickly sida.