Description

Jatropha is a genus of flowering plants in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words iatros), meaning "physician," and trophe), meaning "nutrition," hence the common name physic nut. Another common name is nettlespurge. It contains approximately **0 species of succulent plants, shrubs and trees (some are deciduous, like Jatropha curcas). Most of these are native to the Americas, with *6 species found in the Old World. Plants produce separate male and female flowers. As with many members of the family Euphorbiaceae, Jatropha contains compounds that are highly toxic.