Spurge nettle, Tread-softly
Jatropha urens
Family: Euphorbiaceae
What it is like
It has stinging hairs.
There are 100 Jatropha species in tropical America.
Where it is found
A tropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Cuba, Grenada, North America, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
The very young leaves are eaten. The tuberous roots are cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves, roots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Chaya
Synonyms
See Aleurites, Manihot