Jatropha multifida
Jatropha multifida
Safety & Hazards
All parts of the plant are poisonous[1]. The ripe, dry seeds contain a dangerous, bitter, purgative oil which is sometimes used medicinally. Overdoses, it is reported, can be counteracted by drinking a glass of white wine[2]. Limejuice and stimulants are the best antidotes in cases of poisoning by the seeds[3]. The plant may be used as a fish poison[4].
Cultivation Details
Physic nut is a plant of semi-arid regions in the tropical lowlands, though it can be grown in moist regions so long as there is excellent drainage[5]. Prefers a position in full sun, but also succeeds in partial shade[1, 5]. Succeeds in most well-drained soils[5]. Established plants are somewhat tolerant of drought[1]. Tolerant of maritime exposure[5]. The plant was introduced as an ornamental into the Old World tropics long ago and occasionally escapes from cultivation into grassland and thickets, generally at low elevations[4]. The plant produces flowers on and off all year long, and especially during hot weather[6].
Propagation
Seed - Cuttings. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Jatropha+multifida>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Desert Tropicals — http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ ↩︎The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
- [2]Medicinal Plants of the Guianas — DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J. · Smithsonian Museum · http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html ↩︎A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
- [3]Medicinal Plants of the Philippines — Bureau of Plant Industry, Philippines. · http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/mplants.html ↩︎An Internet site from the Philippines Department of Agriculture, giving information in a readable way on the medicinal uses of many plants in their area.
- [4]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
- [5]Tropical Flowering Plants. A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. — Llamas K.A. · Timber Press; Oregon. · 2003 · ISBN 0-88192-585-3 ↩︎A terse guide for the gardener to almost 1,500 species of ornamental tropical plants with brief details on their cultivation and, usually, a small photograph of good quality.
- [6]Flowers of India — http://www.flowersofindia.net/ ↩︎A wed site of native Indian plants, plus cultivated and naturalized species. It has good quality photos and terse details on more than 3,000 species and cultivars.
- [7]Asean Tropical Plant Database — http://211.114.21.20/tropicalplant/index.jsp ↩︎Terse details, with photos, of many of the plants growing in the tropical forests of southeast Asia. Gives some details of plant uses along with a description of the plant and its range.