Jatropha multifida L.

  • Authority

    Dehgan, Bijan. 2012. . Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 110: 1--274. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Euphorbiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Jatropha multifida L.

  • Synonyms

    Adenoropium multifidum (L.) Pohl

  • Description

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    Species Description - Shrubs or small trees, to 7 m. Stems: yellow-brown to gray, erect, sparsely branched, covered with lenticels and round leaf scars; latex cloudy and viscous. Leaves: semievergreen, mostly borne on upper parts of branches; stipules branched, filiform, 6-15(-25) mm; petioles 11-29 cm long and 2.5-3.5 mm in diam.; blades variable, ovate-cordate to nearly orbicular in outline, 16-30 x 10-22 cm, pinnatifid, deeply dissected into 9-11 lobes nearly to base, segments 1.2-4 cm, distinctly narrow early but wider later, membranous, base rounded, margins incised, apices acuminate, venation palmate with a single vein in each lobe, glabrous on both surfaces. Inflorescences: terminal becoming subterminal with continued growth, many-flowered, capitate cymes; peduncles 12-30 cm, paracladia orange-red; bracts lanceolate, 2-4.5 mm, margins entire, glabrous; pedicels 3.5-6 mm. Staminate flowers: sepals ovate, 1.5-3 x 1-1.2 mm, connate to ½ of length, margins entire, apex round, glabrous on both surfaces; corollas cupulate, orange-red, petals 5-7 x 2.5-3 mm, distinct, apex rounded, glabrous on both surfaces; stamens 8, monodelphous-uniseriate, filaments distinct, 2.2-2.5 mm. Pistillate flowers: like staminate but significantly fewer in number and somewhat larger; sepals 2-3.5 x 1.1-1.3; petals 6-8.2 mm x 2-3.2 mm; carpels mostly 3 (-2 tol by abortion), styles distinct, 1-1.2 mm. Capsules: ellipsoidal, 3-3.4 x 2.7-2.9 cm, bright yellow when mature, distinctly triangular and carinate, tardily dehiscent. Seeds: yellow to light brown, mottled with dark brown spots or stripes, spherical, 1.4-1.8 cm in diam., caruncle vestigial.

  • Discussion

    Local names and uses: Arvore de balsamo, balsamo, cabalongo, chicaquil, coral plant, French physic nut, kar onoged, médiciner des Indes, physic nut, piñón estranjero, rabolongo, salama grande, soledad mirea, taratora, tartago, and yucca. Both raw latex and boiled leaves are used as an antiseptic for open wounds [(R-J. Seibert 1732 (US)]. It is said to be used to extract fish bones caught in the throat [(Eastwood s.n. (CAS)]. Leaves said to be cooked sometimes as a vegetable. The yellow sap is used in Brazil for treatment of wounds.

    Raw seeds are used as a purgative and roasted seeds for fever and venereal diseases. It should be noted that, as for all other species of the genus, J. multifida has toxic properties (Lampe & McCann, 1985). It has been shown to be efficacious in the management of oral candiosis (also called candidiasis or thrush), a fungal infection (mycosis) caused by Candida albicans, in infants. It has been recommended in third world countries, where it can be easily cultivated (Adesola & Adelunji, 2007). However, similar to J. podagrica, J. multifida causes dehydration and cardiovascular collapse as a result of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. It also causes central nervous system depression. (http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/jmulti.htm). A large number of articles have been published on chemistry and medicinal use of J. multifida as well as poisoning symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, which are beyond the scope of this monograph.

    Jatropha multifida is extensively cultivated as an ornamental in tropics of the Old and New Worlds tor its attractive, heteromorphic leaves (some with narrow and others with wide segments) and compact, many-flowered, red-orange inflorescences and flowers. It has escaped and naturalized in many areas, including central and south Florida. The foliage smells like an insect repellant when crushed.

    A specimen of Jatropha multifida exists with a single leaf but no information at the Linnaean Collection (LINN 1141.9) that perhaps should have been considered as the type [http://www.linnaean-online.org]. However, as noted in this publication under the discussion of Jatropha typification, the watercolor painting by Claude Aubriet in Dilleneus’ Hortus Elthamensis, as typified by Radcliffe-Smith (1987) and cited above, is also acceptable.

    Distribution and Ecology: The origin of Jatropha multifida cannot be determined, but it is probably indigenous to the West Indies. Gooding et al (1965) cited Sloans collection [H. Sloan 659 (BM)], in 1687 from Barbados, as one of the earliest dated specimens. Also see the type and the discussion under typification of Jatropha. Flowering and fruiting most of the year but more freely during summer.

  • Distribution

    San Salvador Bahamas South America| Saint George Barbados South America| Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America| La Habana Cuba South America| Distrito Nacional Dominican Republic South America| Grand Cayman Cayman Islands South America| Saint Catherine Jamaica South America| San Juan Puerto Rico South America| Mexico North America| Atlántida Honduras Central America| Managua Nicaragua Central America| Matagalpa Nicaragua Central America| Canal Zone Panamá Central America| San Blás Panamá Central America| Paget Bermuda South America| Guantánamo Cuba South America| Villa Clara Cuba South America| Portland Jamaica South America| Nord-Ouest Haiti South America| Azua Dominican Republic South America| Barahona Dominican Republic South America| Florida United States of America North America| La Altagracia Dominican Republic South America| Santiago Rodríguez Dominican Republic South America| Guayama Puerto Rico South America| Mayagüez Puerto Rico South America| Ponce Puerto Rico South America| Antigua and Barbuda South America| Guadeloupe South America| Distrito Federal Venezuela South America| Loreto Peru South America| San Martín Peru South America| Amazonas Brazil South America| Espirito Santo Brazil South America| Pará Brazil South America| Pernambuco Brazil South America| Paraguay South America|