Jatropha integerrima

Tree has both "male" and "female" flowers on the same tree.

Location collected: Nanmadol (Dolonier) Nett.

Date collected: November 27, 1999

Collected by: Eugene Joseph

  1. Genus species:Jatropha integerrima
  2. Family:
  3. Chuukese name:
  4. English name: Rose flowered jatropha
  5. Kosraean name:
  6. Pohnpeian name:
  7. Yapese name:
  8. Growth form: Shrub
  9. Growth location: Terrestrial
  10. Growth envionment: Cultivated garden
  11. Growth zone: Tropical
  12. Average height: 3-5 meters
  13. Stem: woody
  14. Leaf arrangement: Simple and fascicled
  15. Stipule: Absent
  16. Petioles: 1.0-3.0 cm long
  17. Leaf blade: Ovate and elliptical, 5-10 cm long, accute tip, green, smooth and shinny upper surface, pinnate venation, and margin is entire
  18. Inflorescence: Umbel, usually comprised of four to five flowers at a common base
  19. Florl bracts: none
  20. Flower: Rotationally symmetric, slaveform, red
  21. Calyx: Green, fused and reduced to acup-like structure surrounding the ovary
  22. Corolla: Fused red corrola with four lobes
  23. Stamens: 0.1-0.3 cm long, red, ten anthers and filaments
  24. Ovary: Both inferior and superior ovaries
  25. Style: A single red style about 1.0-3.0 cm long
  26. Fruit: none
  27. Seed: not observed at collection time
  28. Anything else: no strong odor, usually for decoration
  29. Cultural usage: use as an incredient of soap

"Contains potentially lethal toxin, curcin, which is a type of toxalbumin.   Toxalbumins cause bleeding lesions in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.  The lesions resemble alkaline burns, though the onset is sometimes delayed several hours after ingestion. Toxalbumins interfere with cell function and cause cell damage leading to serious liver, kidney, adrenal, nerve damage, and sometimes death."

- Poisonous Plants of Paradise: First Aid and Medical Treatment of Injuries from Hawai'i's Plants.   Susan Scott and Craig Thomas, M.D.©2000. ISBN 0-8248-2251-X.

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