Coral Plant
Jatropha multifida

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A tree like shrub. It is succulent and keeps growing from year to year. It grows to 7 m high and spread to 4 m across. The stem is simple and has few branches. The stem is stocky and 3-6 cm thick. The leaves are rounded and with 7-15 lobes. This means the leaves are finely divided. The leaves are 20-40 cm across and leaflets 4-8 cm across. The flowers are small and bright red. They are on long stalks and many occur together. The flowers are 5 mm across. The fruit is a capsule 3-4 cm across. They contain up to 3 seeds.

It is mostly grown as an ornamental. There are 100 Jatropha species in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Seed need temperatures above 24°C and plants need temperatures above 10°C. Plants are damaged by frost. They need well drained fertile soil. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Belize, Brazil (country/location of origin), Cambodia, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba,Dominican Republic, East Africa, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico (country/location of origin), Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Niue, North America, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South America, Thailand, Tonga, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous. Young fruit can be eaten. The tuberous roots are eaten roasted. The young leaves are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, roots, fruit, oil, caution

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bein-hpo, Bhadradanti, Brihaddanti, Chiniyerandi, French physic nut, Guatemala rhubarb, Jarak china, Jarak gurita, Jyotishka, Kattunarvalam, Lhong khwang kraham, Malaitamanakku, Semakhan, Spanish physic nut, Vilayatiharalu, Virechani

Synonyms

Adenoropium multifidum (L.) Pohl; Jatropha janopha Blanco;