Jatropha multifida

Shrubs or trees, to 7 m, monoecious. Stems erect, yellow-brown, sparsely branched, woody-succulent, glabrous; short shoots absent; latex viscous, cloudy-whitish. Leaves persistent or drought-deciduous, mostly borne on or near branch tips; stipules persistent, (3–)6–15(–25) mm, filiform-divided; petiole 11–29 cm, not stipitate-glandular; blade ovate-cordate in outline, 16–30 × 10–22 cm, deeply 9–11-lobed nearly to base, base rounded, margins incised, apex acuminate, membranous, surfaces glabrous; venation palmate. Inflorescences bisexual, terminal and subterminal, cymes; peduncle 12–30 cm; bracts 2–4.5 mm, margins entire, glabrous. Pedicels 3.5–6 mm. Staminate flowers: sepals connate to 1/2 length, ovate, 1.5–3 × 1–1.2 mm, margins entire, apex round, surfaces glabrous; corolla orange-red, campanulate, petals distinct, 5–7 × 2.5–3 mm, surfaces glabrous; stamens 8 in 1 whorl; filaments distinct, 2.2–2.5 mm. Pistillate flowers resembling staminate, but sepals 2–3.5 × 1.1–1.3 mm; petals 6–8.2 × 2–3.2 mm; carpels (1–)3; styles distinct, 1–1.2 mm. Capsules ellipsoidal, winged, 3–3.4 × 2.7–2.9 cm, tardily dehiscent. Seeds yellow to light brown, mottled with dark brown spots or stripes, spheric, 14–18 mm; caruncle rudimentary. 2n = 22 (Puerto Rico).

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting year-round.
Habitat: Disturbed sites.
Elevation: 0–50 m.

Introduced; Fla., West Indies, introduced also in Mexico, Central America, South America, Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Australia.

Discussion

The geographical origin of Jatropha multifida cannot be determined with certainty; it is probably native to the West Indies. The species is widely cultivated throughout the tropics as an ornamental and has escaped and naturalized in many areas, including central and southern Florida.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa