Editing Jatropha

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|image = Redflowers8.jpg
|image_caption = Spicy Jatropha (''[[Jatropha integerrima]]'')
|display_parents = 2
|taxon = Jatropha
|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]<ref name="GRIN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?6189 |title=Genus: ''Jatropha'' L |website=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |date=2007-10-05 |access-date=2010-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528114938/http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?6189 |archive-date=2010-05-28 }}</ref>
|diversity = c. 180 species
|diversity_link = List of Jatropha species
|synonyms = 
  {{Genus list
  | Adenorhopium | Rchb.
  | Adenoropium | Pohl
  | Castiglionia | Ruiz & Pav.
  | Collenucia | Chiov.
  | Curcas | Adans.
  | Mazinna | Spach
  | Mesandrinia | Raf.
  | Mozinna | Ortega
  | Ricinoides | Mill.
  | Zimapania | Engl. & Pax
  }}
|synonyms_ref = <ref name=POWO>{{cite POWO |title=''Jatropha'' L. |id=325951-2 |access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref>
}}

'''''Jatropha''''' is a [[genus]] of [[flowering plant]]s in the [[Euphorbia|spurge]] family, [[Euphorbiaceae]]. The name is derived from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words ἰατρός (''iatros''), meaning "physician", and τροφή (''trophe''), meaning "nutrition", hence the common name '''physic nut'''. Another common name is '''nettlespurge'''.<ref>{{PLANTS|id=JATRO|taxon=Jatropha|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> It contains approximately 180 species<ref name=POWO/> of [[succulent plant]]s, [[shrub]]s and trees (some are [[deciduous]], like ''[[Jatropha curcas]]''). Most of these are native to the [[Americas]], with 66 species found in the [[Old World]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Joachim |last=Heller |title=Promoting the Conservation and Use of Underutilized and Neglected Crops Volume 1: Physic Nut, Jatropha Curcas L |publisher=Bioversity International |year=1996 |isbn=9789290432784 |page=7}}</ref> Plants produce [[monoecious|separate]] male and female [[flower]]s. As with many members of the family [[Euphorbiaceae]], ''Jatropha'' contains compounds that are highly toxic. ''Jatropha'' species have traditionally been used in basketmaking, tanning and dye production. In the 2000s, one species, ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'', generated interest as an oil crop for [[biodiesel]] production and also medicinal importance when used as lamp oil; native Mexicans in the Veracruz area developed by selective breeding a ''Jatropha curcas'' variant lacking the toxic compounds, yielding a better income when used as source for biodiesel, because of its edible byproduct. Toxicity may return if edible ''Jatropha'' is pollinated by toxic types.

==Uses==
{{Further|Jatropha curcas#Uses}}

The stems of haat (''[[Jatropha cuneata]]'') are used for basketmaking by the [[Seri people]] in [[Sonora]], Mexico. The stems are roasted, split and soaked through an elaborate process. The reddish dye that is often used is made from the root of another plant species, ''[[Krameria grayi]]''. Spicy jatropha (''[[Jatropha integerrima|J. integerrima]]'') is cultivated as an ornamental in the tropics for its continuously blooming [[crimson]] flowers. Buddha belly plant (''[[Jatropha podagrica|J. podagrica]]'') was used to [[Tanning (leather)|tan]] [[leather]] and produce a red [[dye]] in Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is also used as a house plant.

The oil from ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'' is mainly converted into biodiesel for use in [[diesel engine]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ajayebi |first1=Atta |title=Comparative life cycle assessment of biodiesel from algae and jatropha: A case study of India |journal=Bioresource Technology |date=2013 |volume=150 |pages=429–437 |doi=10.1016/j.biortech.2013.09.118 |pmid=24140355 |bibcode=2013BiTec.150..429A |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.09.118|url-access=subscription }}</ref> It is also used for thermal energy storage or as heat transfer fluid at medium and high temperature.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kenda |first1=Eric Serge |last2=N’Tsoukpoe |first2=Kokouvi Edem |last3=Ouédraogo |first3=Igor W. K. |last4=Coulibaly |first4=Yézouma |last5=Py |first5=Xavier |last6=Ouédraogo |first6=Fabrice Marie Armel W. |date=2017-10-01 |title=Jatropha curcas crude oil as heat transfer fluid or thermal energy storage material for concentrating solar power plants |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0973082617301965 |journal=Energy for Sustainable Development |volume=40 |pages=59–67 |doi=10.1016/j.esd.2017.07.003 |bibcode=2017ESusD..40...59K |issn=0973-0826|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gomna |first1=Aboubakar |last2=N’Tsoukpoe |first2=Kokouvi Edem |last3=Le Pierrès |first3=Nolwenn |last4=Coulibaly |first4=Yézouma |date=2020-04-15 |title=Thermal stability of a vegetable oil-based thermal fluid at high temperature |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20421338.2020.1732080 |journal=African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development |language=en |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=317–326 |doi=10.1080/20421338.2020.1732080 |issn=2042-1338|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=N’Tsoukpoe |first1=Kokouvi Edem |last2=Le Pierrès |first2=Nolwenn |last3=Seshie |first3=Yao Manu |last4=Coulibaly |first4=Yézouma |date=2021-02-23 |title=Technico-economic comparison of heat transfer fluids or thermal energy storage materials: A case study using Jatropha curcas oil |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20421338.2020.1838082 |journal=African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development |language=en |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=193–211 |doi=10.1080/20421338.2020.1838082 |issn=2042-1338|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The cake resulting from oil extraction, a protein-rich product, can be used for fish or animal feed (if detoxified). It is also a biomass feedstock to power electricity plants or to produce [[biogas]], and a high-quality organic [[fertilizer]].<ref>Heuzé V., Tran G., Edouard N., Renaudeau D., Bastianelli D., Lebas F., 2016. Jatropha (Jatropha sp.) kernel meal and other jatropha products. Feedipedia, a programme by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/620 Last updated on April 15, 2016, 10:17</ref>

In 2007, [[Goldman Sachs]] cited ''Jatropha curcas'' as one of the best candidates for future [[biodiesel]] production.<ref name="online.wsj.com">[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB118788662080906716?mod=googlenews_wsj Jatropha Plant Gains Steam In Global Race for Biofuels]</ref> It is resistant to [[drought]] and [[Pest (organism)|pest]]s, and produces [[seed]]s containing 27-40% [[Jatropha oil|oil]],<ref>Achten WMJ, Mathijs E, Verchot L, Singh VP, Aerts R, [[Bart Muys|Muys B]] 2007. Jatropha biodiesel fueling sustainability?. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining 1(4), 283-291.[https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bbb.39 <!-- Bot generated title -->] {{doi|10.1002/bbb.39}}[https://perswww.kuleuven.be/~u0053809/Index.html The Jatropha Archives<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> averaging 34.4%.<ref>Achten WMJ, Verchot L, Franken YJ, Mathijs E, Singh VP, Aerts R, Muys B 2008. Jatropha bio-diesel production and use. (a literature review) Biomass and Bioenergy 32(12), 1063-1084.[https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2008.03.003 <!-- Bot generated title -->] {{doi|10.1016/j.biombioe.2008.03.003}}[https://perswww.kuleuven.be/~u0053809/Index.html The Jatropha Archives<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The remaining press cake of jatropha seeds after oil extraction could also be considered for energy production.<ref>Jongschaap REE, Blesgraaf RAR, Boogaard TA, Van Loo EN, Savenije HHG. The water footprint of bioenergy from Jatropha curcas L. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106(35)E92. {{doi|10.1073/pnas.0907272106}}</ref> However, despite their abundance and use as oil and [[Land reclamation|reclamation]] plants, none of the ''Jatropha'' species have been properly [[domestication|domesticated]] and, as a result, their productivity is variable, and the long-term impact of their large-scale use on [[soil quality]] and the environment is unknown.<ref name="WAC">World Agroforestry Centre (2007) [http://www.presa.worldagroforestry.org/newsroom/highlights/when-oil-grows-trees When oil grows on trees]{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} World Agroforestry Centre press release. 26 April 2009.</ref> 2009 research found that Jatropha biodiesel production requires significantly more water than other common [[biofuel crops]], and that initial yield estimates were high.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Morrison|first1=Chris|title=Miracle Biofuel Plant Jatropha Reveals Its Achilles Heel|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/miracle-biofuel-plant-jatropha-reveals-its-achilles-heel/|access-date=21 June 2016|agency=CBS Money Watch|publisher=CBS|date=9 June 2009}}</ref> Earlier, higher estimates from [[Worldwatch Institute]] had suggested that 1 acre of cultivation could yield 202 gallons (4.8 barrels) of biodiesel.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cox|first1=Craig|title=After Oil|volume=5|issue=6, July/August 2007|publisher=Ode Magazine|page=54}}</ref>

''Jatropha curcas''  is also being studied for use as a [[carbon sequestration]] plant in arid regions.<ref>[http://www.earth-syst-dynam.net/4/237/2013/esd-4-237-2013.html K. Becker, V. Wulfmeyer, T. Berger, J. Gebel, and W. Münch: "K. Becker1, V. Wulfmeyer2, T. Berger3, J. Gebel4, and W. Münch", Earth system dynamics, 4, 237-251, 2013.]</ref>

==Toxicity==
Much like other members of the family [[Euphorbiaceae]], members of the genus ''Jatropha'' contain several toxic compounds. The seeds of ''Jatropha curcas'' contain toxic [[lectin]]  dimers and carcinogenic [[phorbol]] esters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.drugsandpoisons.com/2008/01/lectins-peas-and-beans-gone-bad.html |title=Drugs and Poisons: Toxalbumins - Peas and beans gone bad |access-date=2010-06-26 |archive-date=2010-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326175701/http://www.drugsandpoisons.com/2008/01/lectins-peas-and-beans-gone-bad.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite this, the seeds are occasionally eaten after roasting, which reduces some of the toxicity. Its sap is a skin irritant, and ingesting as few as three untreated seeds can be fatal to humans. In 2005, Western Australia banned ''[[Jatropha gossypiifolia]]'' as invasive and highly toxic to people and animals.<ref name=times>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article2155351.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906202849/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article2155351.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 6, 2008 |title=Poison plant could help to cure the planet |work=The Times |date=2007-07-08 |access-date=2008-06-09 | location=London | first=Ben | last=MacIntyre}}</ref> It continues to be used as a medicine in certain geographic regions; however one study found the dried leaf to have no [[Fungicide|anti-fungal]] activity.<ref>Ilango, S. and David Paul Raj RS. 2015.  Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae on Jatropha curcas further its effect on tissue culture and leaf extract for antifungal property. url=http://www.annalsofplantsciences.com/index.php/aps/article/view/189</ref>

==Selected species==
{{Main|List of Jatropha species}}
* ''[[Jatropha bullockii]]'' <small>E.J.Lott</small>
* ''[[Jatropha cathartica]]'' <small>[[Manuel de Mier y Terán|Terán]] & [[Jean-Louis Berlandier|Berland.]]</small> &ndash; Berlandier's nettlespurge
* ''[[Jatropha chamelensis]]'' <small>Pérez-Jiménez</small>
* ''[[Jatropha costaricensis]]'' <small>G.L.Webster & Poveda</small>
* ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'' <small>[[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]</small> &ndash; physic nut, piñoncillo, habb-el-melúk
* ''[[Jatropha dioica]]'' <small>Sessé</small> &ndash; leatherstem
* ''[[Jatropha elliptica]]'' <small>(Pohl) Oken</small>
* ''[[Jatropha gossypiifolia]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; bellyache bush
* ''[[Jatropha integerrima]]'' <small>[[Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin|Jacq.]]</small> &ndash; spicy jatropha, called in Chinese "ri ri ying", which means "every-day-flowered cherry blossom"<ref>Staff, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. [http://english.scib.cas.cn/plants/201005/t20100521_54403.html Jatropha pandurifolia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818123909/http://english.scib.cas.cn/plants/201005/t20100521_54403.html |date=2011-08-18 }}</ref>
* ''[[Jatropha macrantha]]'' <small>Mull. Arg</small> &ndash; Huanarpo macho or Peruvian Viagra
* ''[[Jatropha moranii]]'' <small>Dehgan & G.L.Webster</small>
* ''[[Jatropha multifida]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; coralbush
* ''[[Jatropha nudicaulis]]'' <small>Benth.</small>
* ''[[Jatropha podagrica]]'' <small>Hook.</small> &ndash; Buddha belly plant, bottleplant shrub
* ''[[Jatropha rivae]]'' <small>Pax</small>
* ''[[Jatropha unicostata]]'' <small>Balf.f.</small><ref name="GRINSpecies">{{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?6189 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121211205808/http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?6189 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-12-11 |title=Species Records of ''Jatropha'' |website=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |access-date=2011-03-19 }}</ref><ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=28330 |taxon=''Jatropha'' |access-date=2012-07-09}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Jatropha multifida 1.JPG|Flowers of ''[[Jatropha multifida]]'' in [[El Crucero]], Managua, Nicaragua
Jatropha multifida 2.JPG|''Jatropha multifida'' plant in El Crucero, Managua, Nicaragua
Jatropha_integerrima_1.jpg|''[[Jatropha integerrima]]''
เข็มปัตตาเวีย Jatropha integerrima Jacq. (3).jpg|''Jatropha integerrima'' in Thailand
Flowers of Jatropha integerrima.jpg|''Jatropha integerrima'' in [[West Bengal]], India
Jatropha pandurifolia 02.jpg|''Jatropha pandurifolia'' in China
Bellyache Bush (Jatropha gossipifolia) in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 9219.jpg|''[[Jatropha gossypiifolia]]'' in [[Hyderabad]], India
J_podagrica_ies.jpg|''[[Jatropha podagrica]]''
Jatropha-podagrica-1- 1200.jpg|Close-up of ''Jatropha podagrica''
Jatropha podagrica (Buddha Belly plant) in Hyderabad W IMG 8812.jpg|''Jatropha podagrica'' in [[Hyderabad]], India
</gallery>

=== Formerly placed here ===
*''[[Aleurites moluccanus]]'' <small>(L.) Willd.</small> (as ''J. moluccana'' <small>L.</small>)
*''[[Baliospermum solanifolium]]'' <small>(Willd.) Müll.Arg.</small> (as ''J. montana'' <small>Willd.</small>)
*''[[Cnidoscolus aconitifolius]]'' <small>(Mill.) I.M.Johnst.</small> (as ''J. aconitifolia'' <small>Mill.</small>)
*''[[Cnidoscolus angustidens]]'' <small>Torr.</small> (as ''J. angustidens'' <small>(Torr.) Müll.Arg.</small>)
*''[[Cnidoscolus quercifolius]]'' <small>Pohl</small> (as ''J. phyllacantha'' <small>Müll.Arg.</small>)
*''[[Cnidoscolus stimulosus]]'' <small>(Michx.) Engelm. & A.Gray</small> (as ''J. stimulosa'' <small>Michx.</small>)
*''[[Cnidoscolus texanus]]'' <small>(Müll. Arg.) Small</small> (as ''J. texana'' <small>Müll.Arg.</small>)
*''[[Cnidoscolus tubulosus]]'' <small>(Müll. Arg.) I.M.Johnst.</small> (as ''J. tepiquensis'' <small>Costantin & Gallaud</small> and ''J. tubulosa'' <small>Müll.Arg.</small>)
*''[[Cnidoscolus urens]]'' <small>(L.) Arthur</small> (as ''J. urens'' <small>L.</small>)
*''[[Hyaenanche globosa]]'' <small>(Gaertn.) Lamb.</small> (as ''J. globosa'' <small>Gaertn.</small>)
*[[Cassava|''Manihot esculenta'' subsp. ''esculenta'']] (as ''J. dulcis'' <small>J.F.Gmel.</small> and ''J. manihot'' <small>L.</small>)
*''[[Manihot carthagenensis]]'' subsp. ''carthagenensis'' (as ''J. carthagenensis'' <small>Jacq.</small>)
*''[[Manihot tripartita]]'' subsp. ''tripartita'' (as ''J. tripartita'' <small>Spreng.</small>)<ref name="GRINSpecies"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Jatropha|''Jatropha''}}
{{Wikispecies|Jatropha|''Jatropha''}}
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6278140.stm BBC News report of Jatropa Biofuel]
* {{Cite web
 | url=http://environmental.scum.org/biofuel/jatropha/
 | title=Size does matter - The possibilities of cultivating Jatropha curcas for biofuel production in developing countries
 | access-date=2012-10-13
 | archive-date=2021-06-22
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622205226/http://environmental.scum.org/biofuel/jatropha/
 | url-status=dead
 }} Case study report on the relationship with food security, provides references and background information.
* {{Cite news
 | work=The New York Times
 | title=Mali's Farmers Discover a Weed's Potential Power
 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/world/africa/09biofuel.html
 | date=September 9, 2007
 | access-date=2007-09-09
| first=Lydia
| last=Polgreen
}}
* [https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2009/05/23/update-any-lessons-for-ghana-in-indias-jatropha-failure/ Any lessons for Ghana? India jatropha failure]
* [http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/06/09/jatropha-not-a-miracle-biofuel-crop-after-all/ Jatropha not a miracle biofuel crop after all] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610091025/http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/06/09/jatropha-not-a-miracle-biofuel-crop-after-all/ |date=2011-06-10 }}
* {{cite web | url = http://e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2147 | title = Hailed as a Miracle Biofuel, Jatropha Falls Short of Hype | author = Jon R. Luoma | date = May 4, 2009 | publisher = Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies | website = environment360 | access-date = 2011-10-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111004211727/http://e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2147 | archive-date = October 4, 2011 | url-status = dead }}

{{WestAfricanPlants|Jatropha}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q152986}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Jatropha| ]]
[[Category:Euphorbiaceae genera]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Constantly blooming plants]]