Native Plants

Plant Database

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Cliffe, Harry

Jatropha cathartica

Jatropha cathartica Terán & Berl.

Berlandier's Nettlespurge, Jicamilla

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: jaca3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tuberous
Leaf Complexity: Palmate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Flower: Petals 5

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Rio Grande Plains of Texas and Mexico.
Native Habitat: Brush on clay soil.

Benefit

Warning: Intoxication has been recognized in humans, chickens, goats and calves. Both cattle and penned deer have been poisoned by Jatropha cathartica in Texas.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Poisonous: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Jatropha cathartica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Jatropha cathartica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Jatropha cathartica

Metadata

Record Modified: 0000-00-00
Research By: DEW

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