Jatropha variety is found in Africa, North America and Carribian, in India it is wildly cultivated in Tamilnadu, southern part of India.
This plant is a member of Euphorbiaceae plant family..
This is an about 1.5 metres tall shrub, with deep-reddish brown stem and branches.The leaves are 5-11 x 6-13 cms.3-5 lobed, crimson red, lobes elliptic-obovate.The flowers are deep red, and in terminal, 3-5 cms. long with trichotomous cymes.Capsules are 1 -1.5 cms.long, 3 lobed, smooth,glabrous. The seeds are 0.6 cms. long, oblong,glabrous, greyish - brown with pale yellow or brown strophiole.Blooming season through out the year.>
Usage:
In Ayurveda the oil from the seeds is used for treatment of eczema and skin itches, though the main use is as renewable source of energy as bio diesel.
