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Jatropha variifolia

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Photo from Giromagi.com.


The leaves and fruit by Kate Braun, iNaturalist.com.


A wild plant  by Kate Braun, iNaturalist.com.

Author: Ferdinand Albin Pax, 1910
Family:  EUPHORBIACEAE
Origin:  Mozambique, NE South Africa, Eswatini
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  12 Centimetres
Height:  90 Centimetres
Flower:  Yellow - Greenish-Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Glossy-Leaved Jatropha
Synonyms:  Jatropha triloba, E. Meyer.
Jatropha heterophylla,
Pax.
Jatropha capensis,
Sim.

This member of the Euphorbiaceae family was given this name by Ferdinand Albin Pax in 1910. It is found in southern Mozambique, north-eastern South Africa and Eswatini, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The caudex can grow to twelve centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 90 or even 200 centimetres in height. The flowers are greenish yellow to yellow.

The genera name from the Greek words ἰατρός; iatros, meaning 'physician', and τροφή; trophe meaning 'nutrition', as to medicinal uses. The species name referring to the varying or variegated foliage.


The caudex from Giromagi.com.


The flower by Ton Rulkens, Flickr.com