Croton laccifer also known as Kappetiya is a shrub or small tree, up to 3 m tall. Leaves alternate, lamina 3.5 - 13 X 2 - 11 cm, broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate, shortly acuminate, acute, occasionally apex drawn out into very fine, filamentous tip initially appearing mucronate, base cordate or broadly rounded, irregularly, shallowly dentate, coarsely stellate-pubescent, less so above dependent on age but always densely so on major veins on both surface at all ages. Inflorescence racemose, 7 - 18 (-24) cm or more long. Capsule c. 1 cm diameter, globose, obscurely 3-lobed, minutely, stellate scabrid.
The plant is uses as medicine for Bronchitis, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Fevers, Malaria and etc.
Croton lacciferus is part of the catalog of ayurvedic medicinal plants of Sri Lanka.
