About Jatropha Plants

Jatropha plants are members of the Euphorbeaceae or spurge family. They are a diverse group of plants, many of which are used in landscaping in warm climates. These plants are not just another pretty flowering shrub in the garden though; they are useful in other ways as well.

Purging nut, or Jatropha curcas, is a tree that is winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9-11. It can survive winter temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean are the purging nut tree's natural habitat. This tree grows to a mature height of 15 to 20 feet with a canopy spread of 10 to 15 feet. The foliage is pale green and similar to maple trees with three- to five-lobed leaves. Yellowish-green flowers appear in the spring followed by green seed pods, which gradually turn yellow-red and split open to release two to three inedible seeds per pod. This type of jatropha is often grown for use as a natural fence.

Peregrina, Jatropha integerrima, also commonly called spicy jatropha, is a shrub or small tree that is winter hardy only in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. Prolonged temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit may damage or kill the shrub. The peregrina can be found growing naturally in the West Indies, Cuba and southern Florida where it has escaped captivity and naturalized. It grows to a mature height of about 15 feet with a spread of 10 feet in the wild, but landscape specimens rarely reach that size. New foliage is bronze, eventually turning glossy green as it matures. The plant's 1-inch bright scarlet flowers are produced in clusters throughout most of the year. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to this shrub, which can be grown in a container as a patio, deck or poolside plant.

Coral plants, or Jatropha multifida, are shrubs or small trees that are winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. As with peregrina, temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit may damage or kill the shrub. Their native habitat is from Mexico through Central America and into Brazil. They grow to a mature height of 6 to 10 feet with a loose open canopy. The foliage is dark green with large 1-foot-diameter leaves that have between seven and 11 narrow lobes. Bright coral-red flower clusters adorn the plant sporadically during the year and are especially abundant in hot weather. This jatropha is also suitable for use as a container plant.

The oil pressed from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas tree is utilized in the making of candles, soaps and bio-fuel. Approximately 2,000 barrels of oil can be produced from each square mile of Jatropha curcas trees per year. The byproduct left over after pressing the seeds is used in the making of bio-gas and fertilizers.