Jatropha macrorhiza – Ragged Nettlespurge

Jatropha macrorhiza - Ragged Nettlespurge, Ragged Jatropha (flower and a seed capsule)

Jatropha macrorhiza - Ragged Nettlespurge, Ragged Jatropha

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Jatropha macrorhiza

Common Names: Ragged Nettlespurge, Ragged Jatropha

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Herb/Forb

Arizona Native Status: Native

Habitat: Upland. This wildflower can be found growing in grasslands and in oak-juniper woodlands.

Flower Color: Pale pink, White

Flowering Season: Summer. This plant blooms after the summer monsoon rains have begun.

Height: To 20 inches (51 cm) tall

Description: The flowers have 5 oval petals and are followed by large seed capsules with 3 seeds. The leaves have ragged, irregularly-toothed margins and are green, fleshy, alternate, and palmately-lobed with 5 to 7 main lobes. The stems are green, fleshy, and will ooze clear sap if broken. The root is an enlarged, potato-like tuber.

Special Characteristics

Poisonous – The plants and especially the seeds are poisonous and contain the potentially fatal phytotoxin curcin (similar to the deadly ricin) and a purgative oil that causes severe vomiting. Children are the most susceptible to this plant's toxins. Although the tuberous roots look like potatoes and taste sweet, they are also poisonous.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Euphorbiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae – Spurge family
Genus: Jatropha L. – nettlespurge
Species: Jatropha macrorhiza Benth. – ragged nettlespurge

More About This Plant

Arizona County Distribution Map