The principal aim of the paper is to review existing literature sources on available ethnobotanical information of the species, to identify existing gaps in research and information to assist in the proper utilization, management, and conservation of plants. Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Del. is commonly known as rushfoil or broad-leaved croton (English). A deciduous tree belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. It has a rounded crown with slender trunk and massive spreading branches. The leaves are simple and broadly ovate, green, turning to orange before falling, base rounded. Fruits green when young, turning grey at maturity, pea-sized with three lobed capsules. It is found in a wide range of ecological areas including forest margins, roadsides, in moist lowlands, in soils of volcanic origin, both dry and moist midlands, and highlands areas in almost all the flora regions of Ethiopia. The plant is native to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda and it occur in other sub-Saharan countries (esp. in Guinea, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. Croton macrostachyus has compounds isolated from its root; fruit and bark includes cyclohexane diepoxides, crotepoxide, diterpenoids, crotomacrine, Lupeol, Neoclerodanen, and trachylobane. Croton macrostachyus has a medicinal value for treatment of malaria, headache, skin rash, internal worms, abdominal pain, rabies, ringworm infestation, hemorrhoids, ascarasis, and sexually transmitted diseases. The fruits and a decoction of the roots are used as e medicine against venereal diseases and seeds are used to abuse abortion. The pulverized bark mixed with KOSSO (Hagenia abyssinica, Rosaceae) is a very effective purgative and vermifuge. The farmers especially in Hararghe and Shoa used to protect stored grain from pests. The flowers are heavily scented and used for bee forage. Croton macrostachyus is one of the plant species used for the smoking and cleaning of milking and fermenting utensils. The wood has a domestic use to make tool handles, small stools, boxes, farm implements, mortare and pistile. The wood is used as fuel that burns even when green, but with a rather unpleasant spicy odor and much smoke; it is also used to make charcoal. The leaves are used as green manure. Croton macrostachyus can be lopped, pollarded or coppiced. It has a long taproot and numerous side-roots, which makes it adapted to dry climates. It is widely used and adapted to local conditions.