Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, no rights reserved (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
Jatropha spp.
physic nuts
Tropical Americas, with species in Africa and Asia
Overview
Jatropha spp. is a genus of about 170 species of shrubs, small trees, and succulents in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, native mainly to the tropical Americas with some species in Africa and Asia. Plants range from soft-stemmed shrubs to swollen-trunked succulents 3 to 20 feet (0.9 to 6 m) tall, with milky or watery sap and lobed or rounded leaves that vary widely across the genus. Clusters of small five-petalled flowers, in red, pink, yellow, or cream, appear over long periods in warm weather and draw butterflies; J. integerrima, the coral plant, flowers nearly year-round in the tropics. The fruit is a three-parted capsule holding oil-rich seeds. All parts are poisonous, and the seeds in particular contain toxic compounds that cause severe digestive illness if eaten. J. curcas, physic nut, is grown across the tropics for its seed oil, which is processed into soap and biodiesel, while J. podagrica, with its bottle-shaped trunk, is grown as a curiosity. The genus needs heat, full sun, and free-draining soil, and tolerates no frost. Several species drop their leaves in the dry season and releaf with the rains.
Native Range
Jatropha spp. is native mainly to the tropical and subtropical Americas, from Mexico and the Caribbean through Central and South America, with a number of species in tropical Africa and Asia. Plants grow in dry forests, scrub, and rocky open ground.Suggested Uses
Jatropha spp. is grown as a flowering shrub and patio or container plant in warm climates and under glass, with J. integerrima used for its near-constant red bloom and J. podagrica for its swollen trunk. J. curcas is grown agriculturally for seed oil and as a living fence in the tropics.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 20'
Width/Spread3' - 12'
Bloom Information
Many Jatropha spp. flower over a long warm season, and J. integerrima blooms almost continuously in frost-free climates. In seasonal areas flowering peaks in the warm, wet months. The small flowers are followed by three-parted capsules that ripen and split to release the seeds.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Red, pink, yellow, or creamFoliage Description
Green, varying by speciesGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Jatropha spp. grows in full sun and free-draining soil, tolerating heat and drought once established but failing in cold or wet ground. Most species are damaged below about 50 F (10 C) and killed by frost, so they are kept as houseplants or under glass outside the tropics. Watering is moderate in active growth and sparse during any dry-season rest, since soggy roots rot quickly. Container plants suit a gritty cactus or succulent mix. All parts are poisonous if eaten, and the sap can irritate skin and eyes. Light feeding in the growing season supports flowering, and little pruning is needed beyond shaping.Pruning
Jatropha spp. needs little pruning. Leggy or frost-damaged stems are cut back in spring to encourage branching, and spent flower clusters can be removed. The milky sap released from cuts can irritate skin.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons