Jatropha berlandieri

A dwarf jatropha with a huge caudex. As is obvious from the photograph it is cultivated mainly for its caudex. Its leaves are deciduous and its flowers, though small, are colorful. The small, round caudex - or swollen trunk - produces many long-lasting spikes of poppy-red flowers from the tips of its short stems in summer. Green, pea-like berries follow. Give it a well-drained soil, very little water and lots of sun. This slow-growing plant likes sun or shade and can rot if it is cold and damp. Maximum plant height or length 6 inches. Minimum temperature is 50F.

Similar plants:

• Jatropha curcas (Physic Nut, Purging Nut)
• Jatropha gossypiifolia (Bellyache bush, Cotton Leaf, Physic nut, Sibidigua, Tua-Tua)
• Jatropha integerrima, Jatropha pandurata (Spicy Jatropha, Coral Plant, Peregrina, Physic Nut)
• Jatropha mahafalensis (Jatropha)
• Jatropha multifida, Adenoropium multifidum (Jatropha Tree)
• Jatropha podagrica (Gout Plant, Gout Stick, Buddha Belly, Guatemala Rhubarb, Tartogo)
• Jatropha sp. (Coral Plant)
• Jatropha unicostata (Jatropha)