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|familia=Euphorbiaceae
|familia=Euphorbiaceae
|genus=Jatropha
|genus=Jatropha
|poisonous=highly toxic compounds
|lifespan=perennial
|exposure=sun
|water=moderate, less when dormant
|features=flowers, drought tolerant
|flowers=red, single
|Min Temp Num=50
|Temp Metric=°F
|Temp Metric=°F
|image=Starr 070405-6823 Jatropha integerrima.jpg
|image=Starr 070405-6823 Jatropha integerrima.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_width=240
|image_caption=Jatropha integerrima (flowers and leaves)
|image_caption=Jatropha integerrima (flowers and leaves)
}}
}}
'''''Jatropha''''' is a [[genus]] of approximately 175 [[succulent plant]]s, [[shrub]]s and trees (some are [[deciduous]], like ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'' L.), from the family [[Euphorbiaceae]]. 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 [[Naturalisation (biology)|naturalized]] in many tropical and subtropical areas, including India, Africa, and North America. Originating in the Caribbean, ''Jatropha'' was spread as a valuable [[Hedge (barrier)|hedge]] plant to Africa and Asia by Portuguese traders. 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.
{{Inc|
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.
J. aconilifolia, mill., var. papaya, pax. Tree, apetalous, stinging, spiny. Cent. Amer.—-J. canescens, Mucll. Arg. Shrub: petals united. Calif, to Cent. Amer.—J. fragrans, HBK. Tree, stinging, spiny, apetalous: fls. aromatic. Cuba.—J. integerrima, Jacq.= J. diversifolia, Muell. Arg. Small tree or shrub: petals free, stipules entire; fls. red. B.M. 1464. W. Indies.—J. Kunthiana, Muell. Arg. Bhrub, apetalous, stinging, spiny. Trop. Amer.—J. Manihot= Manihot.—J. Pohliana, Muell. Arg. Shrub or small tree: petals free: stipules dissected. S. Brazil.—J. urens, Linn. Shrub, stinging, spiny, apetalous. G.C. II. 14:753. Trop. Amer. J. B. S. Norton.
}}
'''''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]].
Species of ''Jatropha'' include:
Species of ''Jatropha'' include:
* ''[[Jatropha cuneata]]'' '''limberbush''', whose stems are used for basketmaking by the [[Seri people]] in [[Sonora]], Mexico, who call it '''haat''' ({{pron|ʔaːt}}). The stems are roasted, split and soaked through an elaborate process. The reddish color dye that is often used is made from the root of another plant species, ''Krameria grayi''.
* ''[[Jatropha cuneata]]'' '''limberbush''', whose stems are used for basketmaking by the [[Seri people]] in [[Sonora]], Mexico, who call it '''haat'''.
* ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'', also known as '''physic nut''', '''piñoncillo''' and '''Habb-El-Melúk''', is used to produce the non-edible [[Jatropha oil]], for making candles and [[soap]], and as a feedstock for producing [[biodiesel]]. Prior to pressing, the seed can be shelled with the [[Universal Nut Sheller]] which reduces the arduous task of removing the seeds from the shell by hand. Once the seeds have been pressed, the remaining cake can be used as feed in [[digester]]s and gasifiers to produce biogas for cooking and in engines, or be used for fertilizing, and sometimes even as animal [[fodder]]. The whole seed (with oil) can also be used in digesters to produce biogas. Large plantings and nurseries have been undertaken in India by many research institutions, and by women's [[self-help]] groups who use a system of [[microcredit]] to ease poverty among semi-literate Indian women.
* ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'', also known as '''physic nut''', '''piñoncillo''' and '''Habb-El-Melúk''', is used to produce the non-edible [[Jatropha oil]], for making candles and [[soap]], and as a feedstock for producing [[biodiesel]].
* ''[[Jatropha gossypifolia]]'', also called '''bellyache bush''': its fruits and foliage are toxic to humans and animals. It is a major weed in Australia.
* ''[[Jatropha gossypifolia]]'', also called '''bellyache bush''': its fruits and foliage are toxic to humans and animals. It is a major weed in Australia.
* ''[[Jatropha integerrima]]'' <small>[[Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin|Jacq.]]</small>, or '''spicy jatropha''': ornamental in the tropics, continuously [[crimson]], flowers almost all year.
* ''[[Jatropha integerrima]]'' <small>[[Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin|Jacq.]]</small>, or '''spicy jatropha''': ornamental in the tropics, continuously [[crimson]], flowers almost all year.
Synonyms -- This genus is also known as:
Synonyms -- This genus is also known as:
''Adenorhopium'' <small>[[Rchb.]]</small>, ''Adenoropium'' <small>[[Johann Baptist Emanuel Pohl|Pohl]]</small>, ''Aamanakku / Kaattaamanakku'' <small>[[Tamil, India]]</small>, ''Castiglionia'' <small>[[Hipólito Ruiz López|Ruiz]] & [[Pav.]]</small>, ''Collenucia'' <small>[[Chiov.]]</small>, ''Curcas'' <small>[[Adans.]]</small>, ''Jarak'' <small>[[Indonesia]]</small>, ''Jatropa'' <small>[[Scop.]]</small>, orth. var., ''Loureira'' <small>[[Cav.]]</small>, ''Mesandrinia'' <small>[[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz|Raf.]]</small>, ''Mesandrinia'' <small>Ortega</small>, ''Zimapania'' <small>[[Adolf Engler|Engl.]] & [[Ferdinand Albin Pax|Pax]]</small>, ''Nkran Dedua'', ''Pourghère'' <small>[[French term]]</small>, ''Pulga'', ''Tempate''
==Toxicity==
==Toxicity==