Jatropha podagrica

J. podagrica is a caudiciform perennial herb growing up to 1 metre (3 feet) tall.[4][5][6] The grey-green, knobby, swollen caudex has a bottle-like appearance, giving rise to some of the common names. Leaves are held on long fleshy yet stout petioles which emerge from the tip of the stem and radiate in all directions. Leaves are peltate and 3 or 5 lobed. Dense clusters of small, orange-red, flowers are held above the leaves on long slim peduncles. The clusters carry both male and female flowers and flowering continues for most of the year.[4][5][8] Fruit are green capsules at first, becoming blackish-brown at maturity when they burst and scatter the seeds up to 4 metres (13 feet) away.[5][6]

When cut, the plant exudes a copious sticky sap which may cause dermatitis on contact.[8]

The swollen caudex, showy leaves, and colourful flowers make J. podagrica an attractive ornamental, and it is grown as an indoor plant in many parts of the world.

There are many uses of J. podagrica in folk medicine, including as an analgesic, tonic, aphrodisiac, purgative, laxative, and to treat infections, intestinal worms, snakebite, gout, and more.[4][5][6][9] Other uses include tanning, dye making, soap making, biofuel, fish poison, lamp lighting, and fertiliser.[4][5][6]

Additionally, a number of research projects have sought to identify medicinally useful compounds from J. podagrica.[10][11][12]

All parts of the plant are considered toxic, in particular the seeds. The main toxins are a purgative oil and a phytotoxin or toxalbumin (curcin) similar to ricin in Ricinis.[6][13]

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  Jatropha podagrica
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  Buddha belly plant from Pondicherry
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  Flower of jatropha podagrica
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  Close-up of Jatropha podagrica
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  Fruit of Jatropha podagrica
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  Flower of Jatropha podagrica
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  Jatropha podagrica flowers leaves
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  Jatropha podagrica
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  Jatropha podagrica in Thailand
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  Jatropha podagrica Close up Flowers