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|image_caption=Jatropha integerrima (flowers and leaves)
|image_caption=Jatropha integerrima (flowers and leaves)
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'''''Jatropha''''' is a [[genus]] of approximately 175 [[succulent plant]]s, [[shrub]]s and trees (some are [[deciduous]], like ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'' L.). The name is derived from Greek, and has the common name '''physic nut'''. ''Jatropha'' is native to Central America<ref name="Fairless ">{{cite journal|author=Fairless D.|year= 2007|title=Biofuel: The little shrub that could - maybe| journal=Nature|volume=449|pages=652–655|doi=10.1038/449652a}}</ref> and has become [[naturalized]] in many tropical and subtropical areas, including India, Africa, and North America. The mature small trees bear [[monoecious|separate]] male and female flowers, and do not grow very tall. As with many members of the family [[Euphorbiaceae]], ''Jatropha'' contains compounds that are highly toxic.
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Jatropha (greek, referring to its medicinal use). euphorbiaceae. A varied group of tropical herbs, shrubs or trees; several species cultivated in the greenhouse for their ornamental or curious leaves and flowers; and some grown in the tropics for their economic uses.
Juice milky: lvs. alternate, simple, usually palmately lobed, sometimes pinnate and entire: fls. monoecious, rarely dicecious, usually with petals; sepals 5, more or less connate at base, imbricate; stamens about 10, in 2 or more whorls, some, at least, with the filaments connate; ovary 2-5 celled, 1 ovule in each cell: fr. a caps.— About 150 species, chiefly in the tropics of Amer. and Afr. Related to Hevea and Aleurites.
Most of the species of Jatropha are tropical shrubs, but several low or herbaceous species extend into the southern United States. One, the spurge nettle, J, stimulosa, Michx. (Cnidoscolus stimulosus, Gray), is a stinging weed of sandy soil in the South, with white tubular calyx. A related species J. aconitifolia, is planted for hedges in Central America. Many species have found use in medicine chiefly as local or popular remedies. The oil of J. Curcas, for which the plant is cultivated in tropical America, is used as a purgative and also for cooking, soap-making and the like. In Mexico the seeds are reported to be eaten like peanuts. A few years ago J. gossypifolia attracted some attention as a remedy for leprosy.
Most of the species are adapted to sandy loam soil. They grow readily from seeds, and cuttings from hard young branches can be rooted in sand with bottom heat if dried somewhat before bedding.
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'''''Jatropha''''' is a [[genus]] of approximately 175 [[succulent plant]]s, [[shrub]]s and trees (some are [[deciduous]], like ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'' L.). The name is derived from Greek, and has the common name '''physic nut'''. ''Jatropha'' is native to Central America<ref name="Fairless ">{{cite journal|author=Fairless D.|year= 2007|title=Biofuel: The little shrub that could - maybe| journal=Nature|volume=449|pages=652–655|doi=10.1038/449652a}}</ref> and has become [[naturalized]] in many tropical and subtropical areas, including India, Africa, and North America. The mature small trees bear [[monoecious|separate]] male and female flowers, and do not grow very tall. As with many members of the family [[Euphorbiaceae]], ''Jatropha'' contains compounds that are highly toxic.
The hardy ''Jatropha'' is resistant to [[drought]] and [[pest]]s, and produces [[seed]]s containing 27-40% [[oil]].
The hardy ''Jatropha'' is resistant to [[drought]] and [[pest]]s, and produces [[seed]]s containing 27-40% [[oil]].
