The Genus Jatropha
Limberbushes
Family: Euphorbiaceae
This genus is subtropical and tropical and contains many succulent, caudiciform, and otherwise strange plants—from deciduous perennials, to shubs, and even trees. There are 177 species worldwide. The name is derived from the Greek words iatros, meaning "physician", and trophe, meaning "nutrition", hence the common name physic nut. Another common name is nettlespurge.
Most of these are native to the Americas, though just over 60 species are found in the Old World. There are 4 species in Arizona.
The chemistry of Jatropha species is usually intense, often poisonous (if ingested). Many species are medicinal, and many are also used to make various dyes. The stems of many Jatrophas in our region are used in basketmaking because of their fibrous flexibility.
Photo of Jatropha cardiophylla by Leslie Landrum, SEINET
Jatropha cardiophylla
Heartleaf Limberbush
Suckering, rubbery-stemmed, deciduous shrub, growing to a 3x3’. Long dormancy, one of the last plants to green up in May or June, depending on water availability. Suckers out to form colonies and rarely produces seed. This plant is often overlooked in the desert, until one starts looking at it closely. Small white flowers in summer followed by green capsuled fruits.
Grow in full sun with low water (good drainage), hardy to 20 °F. Larval food plant for the magnificent cinta moth (Rothschildia cincta).
Stems used to make baskets. Sap used to make dyes. This plant is used medicinally.
Found on sandy and gravelly slopes, plains, mesas, and foothills, from 2,000-3,000 ft. in Arizona, Sonora, and Sinaloa.
Jatropha is from the Greek iatros for doctor and trophe for food, while cardiophylla means heart leaves.
Jatropha cinerea
Ashy Limberbush
Shrubby semi-evergreen plant (if protected from frost), 8’ tall x 10’ wide. in summer, small pink flowers occur, followed by large silvery green capsuled fruits.
Grow in full sun to shade, low water, hardy to 30° F.
Good nectar plant. Larval food plant for the magnificent cinta moth (Rothschildia cincta).
used for both animal and human needs. The stems are used to make baskets, but human medicinal uses of the Leafy Limber Bush are limited given its toxic effect on cells at high concentrations. Limber Bush Tea can be used for tanning leather, and at lower concentrations for treating a variety of ailments. The tea can be used to treat diarrhea, cure mouth sores and bleeding gums if gargled as a mouth rinse. The Limber Bush sap can also be used to sooth burns, bites, and stings.
In Arizona only in a few locations at Organ Pipe National Monument, south into Sonora, Baja California, and Sinaloa, usually on rocky slopes.
The species name, cinerea is derived from Latin cinereus (meaning “ashy”).
Papelìo
Jatropha cordata
Tropical, deciduous shrub with peeling bark revealing shiny trunk, growing to 10’ tall x 6’ wide (much taller in Mexico where it is from). Reddish to pink flowers in warm weather followed by large green capsuled fruits.
Grow in full to part sun, with low water, hardy to 30° F.
Larval food plant for the magnificent cinta moth (Rothschildia cincta). Can be grown well in a container.
In rocky hillsides—thornscrub, tropical deciduous forest, along the Sierra Madre Occidental in Sonora south through western Mexico.
Cordata refers to the leaf shape of this plant.
Jatropha cuneata
Physicnut
Small, elephant tree-like shrub, growing 3’ tall or taller in frost free area x 4’ wide. Small white flowers in summer followed by capsuled fruit.
Grow in full sun, low water, and protect from frost (hardy to 30° F though might tolerate short light frost).
Larval food plant for the magnificent cinta moth (Rothschildia cincta). Can be grown well in a container.
Dry mesas, rocky limestone mesas, sandy areas, slopes and bajadas, 1000-2000 ft. in the desert mountains in the borderlands from the Ajo Mountains, east to the Tinajas Altas, south into Sonora and Baja California.
Jatropha curcas
Barbados Nut
Tropical shrub growing to about 20’ tall, but usually smaller in Tucson. Large crisp leaves. Tiny yellow flowers are followed by large capsular fruits that start green and ripen to yellow.
Full sun to light shade, moderate water, 25° F.
Larval food plant for the magnificent cinta moth (Rothschildia cincta). Can be grown well in a container.
This species is grown all over the world as a biofuel crop.
Xuta, chuta, aishte or piñón manso (among others) are some of the names given in Mexico to edible non-toxic Jatropha curcas. It is grown in house gardens or other small areas. Although it is known as a toxic plant due to the presence of diterpenes named phorbol esters, the existence of edible non-toxic J. curcas without phorbol esters content has been demonstrated. It is also similarly reported that Jatropha seeds are edible once the embryo has been removed. The process for analysis of phorbol ester contents in J. curcas is done through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Xuta is traditionally prepared for local celebrations or popular parties. The kernels are roasted and eaten as a snack or roasted and ground to prepare different dishes, such as tamales, soups and sauces like “pipian”. The seeds in the zone around Misantla, Veracruz are very appreciated by the population as food once they have been boiled and roasted.
Root ashes are used as a salt substitute. HCN and rotenone are present.
Native to the American tropics, most likely Mexico and Central America.
The species "curcas" comes from the Spanish word curcaso.
Photo of Jatropha curcas by Leonardo Álvarez-Alcázar, iNaturalist
Jatropha dioica
Leatherstem
Rubbery-stemmed succulent, deciduous shrub, suckering to 4’ tall x 6’ wide. May form small colonies. Small white flowers in summer followed by green capsuled fruit. Deciduous and dormant until it gets hot out (May). There are two varieties: var. graminea has much more slender leaves than var. dioica.
Grow in full sun, with low water, hardy to 15° F. Good drainage is important.
Larval food plant for the magnificent cinta moth (Rothschildia cincta). The seeds are eaten by white-winged doves.
This species is traditionally used in the treatment of dental issues such as gingivitis, loose teeth, bleeding gums, and toothache. The latex is an astringent and is also be used as a red dye. The colonies of this plant act as a nurse plants for small cacti such as Lophophora species.
Native to Texas in the United States as well as Mexico as far south as Oaxaca in dry, rocky areas.
The specific name, dioica, refers to the dioecious nature of the plants (separate male and female plants).
Jatropha gossypiifolia
Bellyache Bush
Shrubby tropical perennial, 6’ tall x 3’ wide, deciduous if frosted. New growth is often reddish. Red flowers in warm weather followed by capsuled fruits.
Grow in full sun to shade, moderate water, dependably root hardy to 25° F but best protected from frost. Can be grown well in a container.
Larval food plant for the magnificent cinta moth (Rothschildia cincta).
Several human and veterinary uses in traditional medicine are described for different parts (leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and latex) and preparations (infusion, decoction, and maceration, among others) based on this plant, by different routes (oral or topical). The most frequent reports concern its antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antiophidian, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial, healing, antianemic, antidiabetic, and antihemorrhagic activities, among many other examples. Other uses are also related to this plant, such as biodiesel production, pesticide, insecticide, vermifuge, ornamentation, and even its use in religious rituals.
The herb has been traditionally used as an oral contraceptive and abortifacient, and ethanol extracts have effectiveness in reducing fertility in rats, though the identity of the chemicals responsible for endocrine disruption are not yet known.
The species is native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean islands in a variety of habitats.
Jatropha macrorhiza
Ragged Leaf Nettlespurge
Unusual for a Jatropha, growing from a tuberous root. Deciduous perennial shrub, growing to about 2-3’ tall and 3-4’ wide. Pink flowers in summer followed by capsuled fruits.
Grow in full sun to light shade, moderate water, probably hardy down to about 0°F.
Larval food plant for the magnificent cinta moth (Rothschildia cincta).
Found on mesas and plains; 3,500-7,500 ft. in Arizona, southwest New Mexico, southern Texas; south into northern Mexico.
The species, macrorhiza, means large root.
Jatropha macrorhiza on iNaturalist
Jatropha macrorhiza on SEINET
Jatropha vernicosa
Lomboy Colorado
Tropical, deciduous shrub growing to 10’ tall x 6’ wide. Small white flowers followed by capsular green fruits.
Grow in full to part sun, with low water, hardy to 30° F. Protect from frost. Great in containers.
Larval food plant for the magnificent cinta moth (Rothschildia cincta).
Native to rocky slopes in Baja California.