Croton cupreolepis (Euphorbiaceae) is newly described from montane, evergreen forests of eastern Madagascar. It is distinguished by its coppery-lepidote trichomes that form a dense covering on the floral buds and inflorescences, as well as on the dorsal side of the petals of both pistillate and staminate flowers, and also by its distinctive recurved pedicels. The young leaves are covered by the same type of coppery trichomes on the lower surface, but as the leaves expand, the coppery scales become scattered on a background of silvery scales. The species has been confused with Croton chrysodaphne, C. nobilis, or else specimens have been left determined just to genus. Its broad latitudinal distribution in Madagascar suggests that it may once have been more widespread, but has been a victim of the widespread deforestation of primary forest along the eastern slopes of the island.