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Cnidoscolus chayamansa

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Found this plant at Mbuyu.


The flower by Pia Mc Manus, Tramil.net.


A bush by Rafaël Govaerts, Powo.science.kew.org.

Author:  Rogers McVaugh, 1944
Family:  EUPHORBIACEAE
Origin:  Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama (N South Africa)
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium - Maximum
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  10 Centimetres
Height:  3 Meters
Flower:  White
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  Tree Spinach, Chaya Col, Kikilchay, Chaykeken
Synonyms:  Cnidoscolus aconitifolius,  I.M.Johnst.
Cnidoscolus chaya, Lundell.
Cnidoscolus chayamansa, McVaugh
Cnidoscolus fragrans, Pohl.
Cnidoscolus longipedunculatus, Pax & K.Hoffm.
Cnidoscolus napifolius, Pohl.
Cnidoscolus palmatus, Pohl.
Cnidoscolus quinquelobatus, León.
Jatropha aconitifolia var. multipartita, Müll.Arg.
Jatropha aconitifolia var. palmata, Müll.Arg.
Jatropha aconitifolia var. papaya, Pax
Jatropha deutziiflora, Croizat.
Jatropha fragrans, Kunth.
Jatropha longepedunculata, Brandegee
Jatropha palmata, Willd.
Jatropha papaya, Medik.
Jatropha quinquelobata, Mill.
Jatropha urens var. inermis, Calvino
Jatropha urens var. longepedunculata, Brandegee.

This member of the Euphorbiaceae family was described by Rogers McVaugh in 1944. It is originally found on the Yucatan peninsula, but can now be found in the central America and on some of the Caribbean islands, where the leaves are eaten. It preferring a well drained soil with some to much water and lots of sun. The tiny flowers are white, and the plant can be reproduced both by seeds and cuttings.

I have to admit is in not really a caudiciform; the stem tend to be rather slim, not more than ten centimetres in diameter even though it can reach a height of three metres. However, I assume it does have quite a swollen root.

The name is derived from the Greek words κνίδη (knide), meaning 'nettle' and σκολος (skolos), meaning 'thorn' or 'prickle'. The species name as it first was found on the Cayman islands.