Jatropha multifida

Jatropha multifida L.

Common Names: Coral Plant

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Habit: Jatropha multifida grows as a glabrous shrub to small tree up to 3 m in height. The leaves are arranged alternately and 9-12 lobes and to 30 in length. The lobes to 15 cm in length, lanceolate, and entire leaf margin, and an acuminate leaf apex.

Jatropha multifida is monoecious. The incomplete, imperfect, actinomorphic, flowers are arranged in terminal corymb/panicle. Staminate flowers have 5 unfused, green, ciliate, sepals in the calyx and 5 red petals.  There are 8 stamens, 5 disk glands, and no carpel.  The carpellate flowers have 5 unfused, glandular, sepals in the calyx. The corolla has 5 red petals, 5 disk glands, and there are no stamens. The superior ovary has 3 locules. The fruit is a 3 – lobed to pear shaped orange capsule/drupe.

Habitat: Jatropha multifida grows in Human Altered environments (yards and gardens).

Distribution: Jatropha multifida is NOT native to the Lucayan Archipelago but is grown on many of the north and central island groupings.  It is native to Mexico and parts of the Caribbean region.  It is grown around the world in tropical and subtropical areas.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Jatropha multifida is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.

Jatropha multifida is used in the horticultural industry for its showy red flowers and interesting leaves.

Jatropha multifida is extremely TOXIC and poisonous.  NO parts should be ingested.