Codiaeum variegatum or the Croton is a very tropical shrub with fabulous multi-coloured, veined, leathery foliage of red, gold, green and all shades in between.
The leaves can be long and flat - up to 25cms long, or they can be broader and oval.
The flowers are rather small and insignificant with male flowers being white and female flowers are yellowish with no petals.
This is a plant to provide all year round colour when the other flowering plants have done their bit for the year. They are easy to grow, make a tropical splash in borders, but do not like the cold.