Jatropha multifida

van Welzen, P. C., Sweet, F. S. T. & Fernández-Casas, F. J., 2017, A revision of Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae) in Malesia, Blumea 62 (1), pp. 58-74 : 67-69

4. Jatropha multifida L. ― Fig. 1c , 5, 6 ; Map 4

Jatropha multifida L. (1753) 1006; Miq. (1859) 392; Müll.Arg. (1866) 1089; Kurz (1877) 403; Hook.f. (1887) 383; Pax (1910) 40, f. 13; Merr. (1923) 449; Gagnep. (1926) 325; McVaugh (1945) 277; Backer & Bakh.f. (1963) 494; Airy Shaw (1972) 284; Radcl.-Sm. (1987) 354; Grierson & D.G.Long (1987) 790; Chantharaprasong & Welzen (2007) 347, f. 11C; Li Bingtao & M.G.Gilbert (2008) 269;Fern. Casas (2016) 37,f. 14-17, map 4. ― Manihot multifida (L.) Crantz (1766) 167. ― Adenoropium multifidum (L.) Pohl (1827) 16. ― Lectotype (designated by Radcliffe-Smith 1987): t. 173 (f. 213), opposite p. 218 in Dillenius, Hortus Elthamensis (1732),America meridionali (S America).

e c c d d a d f g b

Jatropha janipha Blanco (non L., non Lour.) (1837) 758; (1845) 521; (1879) 159, t. 342; Merr. (1918) 229. ― Neotype (designated here after Merrill 1918): Merrill Species Blancoanae 625 (holo L), Philippines, Luzon , Manila.

Shrubs, at least up to 2.5 m tall, branches somewhat succulent; flowering branches 5–9 mm diam. Outer bark greyish with green-brown lenticels. Indumentum absent. Stipules dissected in many flagelliform parts of 15–20 by 0.1–0.2 mm. Leaves palmatisect; petiole 4–27 cm long, 1–5 mm diam, round but flattened to somewhat grooved above, basally thickened; blade almost circular in circumference, 14–34 by 12–30 cm, base cordate; lobes (6–)9–11(–13), elliptic, 4.5–17 by 0.7–8 cm, margin entire but with 1 or more small, triangular, alternate side-lobes, slightly constricted above side-lobes, apex gradually acute; palmately nerved, with along midrib up to 21 pairs of nerves. Inflorescences subterminal, cymose, corymbiform, erect, up to 30 cm long; peduncle up to 26 cm long, 2–3 mm wide; rachis 4–21 mm long; central flower pistillate, others staminate; bracts narrowly triangular, 2–4 by 0.5–1 mm, often folded lengthwise, margin usually with a few side-lobe-like initiations, apex acuminate, upwards becoming smaller. Flowers c. 6 mm diam, all parts red or orange; pedicels 3–7 mm long; calyx c. 3 mm wide and long, margin entire; petals obovate, contort, apex emarginate to obtuse. Staminate flowers: calyx lobes c. 1 by 1–1.2 mm, apex emarginate to rounded; petals 4–5.8 by 2.5–3 mm; disc glands ± square, c. 0.4 by 0.4 mm; stamens 8, 5 in outer and 3 in inner whorl, free, filaments 2.5–3 mm long, anthers with parallel thecae, 2–2.5 by 0.4–0.7 mm, basifixed, opening extrorse. Pistillate flowers: calyx lobes triangular, c. 2 by 1 mm, apex acute; petals c. 4 by 2.5 mm; disc glands present; ovary ovoid, style short to absent, stigmas short and thick. Fruits irregularly shaped, shape dependent on number of developed seeds, c. 3 by 2 cm, containing 1–3 seeds, dehiscence septicidal, yellow; wall c. 0.5 mm thick; columella not seen. Seeds sub-ellipsoid, 17.5–20 by 15–17 by 12–13.5 mm.

Distribution ― S North America, central and N South America, introduced in Malesia (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Philippines).

Habitat & Ecology ― Hill slopes, cultivated within human settlements. Altitude: up to 700 m. Flowering: March, April, May; fruiting: April.

Vernacular names ― Malay Peninsula: Hubiq (Semelai). Philippines ( Merrill 1923): Apio (Visaya); Tubang-amerikáno (Bíkol); Maná (Spanish). Dutch: Koraalboom (coral tree).

Uses (after Burkill 1935, Heyne 1950) ― Ornamental plant of which the young leaves and tubers can be eaten after roasting; older leaves can act as purgative. Seeds are medicinally used as purgative and criminal poisoning due to cathartic properties; oil used as lamp oil.

Figures

Map 4 Distribution in Malesia of Jatropha multifida L. (▲) and J. podagrica Hook. (■).

Fig. 1 Leaf shapes and flower details in Malesian Jatropha L. – J. curcas L.: a. Leaf. – J. integerrima Jacq.: b. Leaf. – J. multifida L.: c. Leaf. – J. podagrica Hook.: d. Leaf. – J. gossypiifolia L.: e. Habit; f. staminate flower; g. androecium with disc glands; h. pistillate flower; i. base of ovary with disc glands; j. fruit, k. columella; l. seed with apical caruncle (a: Bullock 879; b: Noerkas 62; c: Anonymous s.n., barcode L 0034581; d. M. Reekmans 7729; e–g: F.G. Dickason 8644; h, i: A.M. Huq & M.K. Mia 10498; j–l: A.H.M. Jayasuriya 1248; all L). — Drawing:Anita Walsmit Sachs, 2006.

Fig. 6 Jatropha multifida L., fruits and seeds. a. Fruit, lateral view; b. fruit, apical view; c. seed, ventral view; d. seed, dorsal view; e. seed lateral view (all: C.F. Baker 4, MA). — Drawing: José María Pizarro Domínguez, 2006.