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Jatropha macrorhiza

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Photo from The Firefly Forest.


The flower by Sue Carnahan, Swbiodiversity.org.


Photo by Frank Vincentz.

Author: George Bentham, 1839
Family:  EUPHORBIACEAE
Origin:  Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Central + Northern Mexico
Soil:  Rich - Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  7 Centimetres
Height:  50-80 Centimetres
Flower:  Pale Pink
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings?
Names:  Ragged Nettlespurge, Arizona Desert Potato, Physic Nut
Synonyms:  Jatropha arizonica, I.M.Johnst.
Jatropha macrorhiza
var. septemfida, Engelm.

This member of the Euphorbiaceae family was given this name by George Bentham in 1839. It is found in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, central and northern Mexico, growing in a rich but well drained soil with some water and some sun. The caudex can grow to seven centimetres, the plant up from 50 to 80 centimetres height. The flowers are pale pink.

The genera name from the Greek words ἰατρός; iatros, meaning 'physician', and τροφή; trophe meaning 'nutrition', as to medicinal uses. The species name means 'large root'.


A wild plant by Sue Carnahan, Swbiodiversity.org.