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About
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Key Facts
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Physic nuts
Physic nuts
Physic nuts
Physic nuts
Physic nuts (Jatropha)
Physic nuts are a very diverse group of flowering succulents, shrubs, and trees. One commonality among physic nuts is their toxicity - almost all species have highly toxic seeds, and many also have a sap that irritates the skin of humans and animals alike. However, some species of physic nuts are used to make dye, baskets, and for tanning.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Plant Type
Shrub
info

Key Facts About Physic nuts

Attributes of Physic nuts

Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Plant Height
4 m
Spread
4 m
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃

Scientific Classification of Physic nuts

distribution

Distribution of Physic nuts

Distribution Map of Physic nuts

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
habit
care detail

How to Grow and Care for Physic nuts

how to grow and care
The physic nuts genus, native to the tropical regions, requires moderate care. Basic needs include a sunny location, well-draining soil, and a warm climate, typically between 20-28°C. Overwatering can lead to root rot, a common challenge, along with pests like spider mites. Seasonal needs vary, with less watering required in winter and more sunlight in summer. Pruning and annual repotting are typical seasonal tasks. Despite these challenges, with a diligent caretaker, physic nutss can be a resilient and vibrant addition to any garden.
More Info About Caring for Physic nuts
species

Exploring the Physic nuts Plants

7 most common species:
Jatropha podagrica
Buddha belly plant
Buddha belly plant (Jatropha podagrica) is a succulent perennial herb native to tropical North and South America. Buddha belly plant is cultivated around the world as an ornamental species due to its unique appearance. This species produces a sticky sap which can be a skin irritant and the plant is toxic if ingested. It is, however, used to make dye, soap, biofuel, and fertilizer.
Jatropha gossypiifolia
Bellyache bush
Jatropha gossypiifolia, commonly known as bellyache bush, black physicnut or cotton-leaf physicnut, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The species is native to Mexico, South America, Gujarat State (India) and the Caribbean islands. It is a declared noxious weed in Puerto Rico and is naturalised in northern Australia, including Queensland where it is listed as a Class 2 declared pest plant. It grows to 2.5 to 4 m high. The three lobed leaves are purple and sticky when young and become bright green with age. The small red flowers with yellow centres appear in clusters. These are followed by cherry-sized seed pods that are poisonous. Powdery mildew fungal disease was reported. There are many common names for Jatropha gossypiifolia including: bellyache-bush, black physicnut, and cotton-leaf physicnut in English; pinon negro, pinon colorado, and tua-tua in Spanish; medicinier noir and medicinier rouge in French; mamoninha and peao-roxo in Brazil; jarak merah and sibidigua in India.
Jatropha integerrima
Peregrina
Peregrina is a popular border and decorative plant because of its gorgeous red or pink flowers that bloom all year. This shrub, native to Cuba and widely propagated worldwide, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. However, extreme caution is suggested because all parts of this plant are toxic when consumed.
Jatropha curcas
Barbados nut
The barbados nut (Jatropha curcas) plant is cultivated throughout the world for ornamental uses because of its rapid growth. Since cattle will not consume the leaves, it works very well as a living fence around grazing areas. Oil is extracted from the nuts and used as a torch fuel and burns so well that the fires are not affected by strong winds!
Jatropha cathartica
Jicamilla
Jicamilla (Jatropha cathartica) is a perennial flowering spurge also known as Berlandier's nettlespurge. The jicamilla is tolerant of drought but cannot survive an overabundance of moisture, as it will experience root rot. This species grows naturally in its native Texas and Mexico, but is also cultivated in containers. It can survive for months without rain in the wild.
Jatropha dioica
Leatherstem
Leatherstem (Jatropha dioica) is indigenous to western North America. The plant contains a latex that changes from a translucent yellow color to deep crimson if you expose it to air. This accounts for the Spanish name for this species—“sangre de drago,” which means “dragon’s blood.”
Jatropha multifida
Coral plant
Coral plant (*Jatropha multifida*) is a tough plant that you will encounter in many gardens. It is grown for its attractive sprays of red-pink flowers, which rise above the leaves on long stems. This plant has an added garden bonus, since it is a great attractor of butterflies. Care should be taken with coral plant, since it is slightly toxic, and should never be eaten.
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Physic nuts
Physic nuts
Physic nuts
Physic nuts
Physic nuts
Physic nuts
Physic nuts
Jatropha
Physic nuts are a very diverse group of flowering succulents, shrubs, and trees. One commonality among physic nuts is their toxicity - almost all species have highly toxic seeds, and many also have a sap that irritates the skin of humans and animals alike. However, some species of physic nuts are used to make dye, baskets, and for tanning.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Plant Type
Shrub
info

Key Facts About Physic nuts

Attributes of Physic nuts

Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Plant Height
4 m
Spread
4 m
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃

Scientific Classification of Physic nuts

distribution

Distribution of Physic nuts

Distribution Map of Physic nuts

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
care detail

How to Grow and Care for Physic nuts

The physic nuts genus, native to the tropical regions, requires moderate care. Basic needs include a sunny location, well-draining soil, and a warm climate, typically between 20-28°C. Overwatering can lead to root rot, a common challenge, along with pests like spider mites. Seasonal needs vary, with less watering required in winter and more sunlight in summer. Pruning and annual repotting are typical seasonal tasks. Despite these challenges, with a diligent caretaker, physic nutss can be a resilient and vibrant addition to any garden.
More Info About Caring for Physic nuts
species

Exploring the Physic nuts Plants

7 most common species:
Jatropha podagrica
Buddha belly plant
Buddha belly plant (Jatropha podagrica) is a succulent perennial herb native to tropical North and South America. Buddha belly plant is cultivated around the world as an ornamental species due to its unique appearance. This species produces a sticky sap which can be a skin irritant and the plant is toxic if ingested. It is, however, used to make dye, soap, biofuel, and fertilizer.
Jatropha gossypiifolia
Bellyache bush
Jatropha gossypiifolia, commonly known as bellyache bush, black physicnut or cotton-leaf physicnut, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The species is native to Mexico, South America, Gujarat State (India) and the Caribbean islands. It is a declared noxious weed in Puerto Rico and is naturalised in northern Australia, including Queensland where it is listed as a Class 2 declared pest plant. It grows to 2.5 to 4 m high. The three lobed leaves are purple and sticky when young and become bright green with age. The small red flowers with yellow centres appear in clusters. These are followed by cherry-sized seed pods that are poisonous. Powdery mildew fungal disease was reported. There are many common names for Jatropha gossypiifolia including: bellyache-bush, black physicnut, and cotton-leaf physicnut in English; pinon negro, pinon colorado, and tua-tua in Spanish; medicinier noir and medicinier rouge in French; mamoninha and peao-roxo in Brazil; jarak merah and sibidigua in India.
Jatropha integerrima
Peregrina
Peregrina is a popular border and decorative plant because of its gorgeous red or pink flowers that bloom all year. This shrub, native to Cuba and widely propagated worldwide, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. However, extreme caution is suggested because all parts of this plant are toxic when consumed.
Jatropha curcas
Barbados nut
The barbados nut (Jatropha curcas) plant is cultivated throughout the world for ornamental uses because of its rapid growth. Since cattle will not consume the leaves, it works very well as a living fence around grazing areas. Oil is extracted from the nuts and used as a torch fuel and burns so well that the fires are not affected by strong winds!
Show More Species
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
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unlimited guides at your fingertips...
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