Jatropha multifida

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

Botanical Name : Jatropha multifida L.
Synonyms : Manihot multifida (L.) Crantz
Common Name : Coral Bush, Coral Plant, China Erand
Plant Family : Euphorbiaceae
Plant Form : Shrub
Occurrence (Sectors) : 17, 18
Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park, Ayurvedic Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra

Habit : A small shrub.
Leaves : Deeply divided into 5-11 lanceolate-acute lobes, the lobes again lobed, palmatipartite, stipules branched, petioles long.
Inflorescence : Many flowered, terminal cymes, branches red.
Flowers :
- Long pedunculate, monoecious, calyx 5-lobed, petals 5, oblong red, twisted.
- Stamens 8-10, filaments united, disk cup-shaped, glands prominent.
- Ovary on a disk 3-celled, styles 3, stigmas bifid.
Fruits : Capsule obovate, yellow.
Flowering and Fruiting Time : August-November
Significance : A handsome plant in the gardens.