Jatropha curcas

• Botanical Name : Jatropha curcas L.
• Synonyms : Manihot curcas (L.) Crantz
• Common Name : Barbados-Nut, Bubble Bush, Physic-Nut, Purge-Nut, Purging-Nut, Mogalai Erand, Ratanjyot
• Plant Family : Euphorbiaceae
• Plant Form : Shrub
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 19
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Van Chetana Kendra, Basan

About Jatropha curcas Plant :

• Habit : A large shrub.
• Leaves : 3-5 lobed, green, smooth, base cordate.
• Inflorescence : Axillary cymes.
• Flowers :
  • Monoecious, greenish-yellow, bracts oblong.
  • Sepals 5, free, disk with 5 glands, rudimentary ovary present.
  • Ovary 3-lobed, style short, stigmas 3.
• Fruits : Capsule large, oblong, 3-lobed with 3 seeds each with a caruncle.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : September-November
• Significance :
  • The latex is said to blind the eyes.
  • The nut is very poisonous but is also known to be used as a purgative.
  • Children play with the juice to make beautiful bubbles.