A: I appreciate you bringing in a clipping of this plant. It is not an invasive plant but rather a native coastal plant called silverleaf croton, Croton punctatus. It is also know by other common names such as Gulf Croton and Beach-tea. It is classified as an annual or a short-lived perennial reproducing by seeds. I have attached a photo of the seedhead which was taken by Mr. Duncan at the University of Georgia. Silverleaf croton loves the sandy soils of coastal beach areas and is extremely drought tolerant. Silverleaf croton is one of many important sand dune plants essential for reducing erosion by keeping the sand dunes in place. It can provide shelter for small animals and invertebrates.

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