Jatropha gossypifolia

Jatropha gossypiifolia L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1006 (1753).

Jatropha gossypiifolia L., Photo by Văn Huy Huy

The native range of this species is Mexico to Tropical America. It is a shrub and grows primarly in the seasonally dry tropical biome(s). It is used to treat unspecified medicinal disorders, has environmental uses and social uses, as a poison and a medicine and for fuel and food.

Vietnamese name: 

Dầu lai, Dầu mè tía

Latin name: 

Jatropha gossypiifolia L.

Family: 

(Euphorbiaceae)

Uses: 

Cure scabies (seed oil topical). Pimples, Eczema (Leaves). Regime (Shell).

Distribution: 

Plants imported, now becoming wild, are quite common in the northern midlands regions of Vietnam.

Flowering and fruiting season: March-May; May-October