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Jatropha podagrica Hook.

Gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassRosidaeRoses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
OrderMalpighialesA broad group encompassing 16,000 species
FamilyEuphorbiaceaeEuphorbia or spurge family
GenusJatrophaFrom Greek ἰατρός (iatros), “physician,” and τροφή (trophe), “nutrition,” hence the common name “physic nut”
SpeciespodagricaLatin for “gouty,” for the swollen stem

About plant names...

Gout plant is native to the tropical portions of Central America, from Guatemala to Panama. It has become naturalized in other tropical regions throughout the world. It is a member of the euphorbia family.

Identification: Reaches 1½-3′ (45-91 cm) in height. The stems are swollen and knobby. Large, three-lobed leaves are dropped during the winter. When seeds ripen, the pods explode, sending seeds several feet. Pods are roughly spherical, about ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) in diameter. The blooms are the most distinctive, a bright orange/red/pink color that is so striking that it looks almost artificial. Each flower is about ¼″ (6.3 mm) across, with five red petals and a yellow center. The stalks supporting the flowers match the color of the flowers.

Edibility: Poisonous Skull & Crossbones Contains several toxic substances.

Online References:

Dr. Giuseppe Mazza's PhotoMazza.com site

The University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Plant Growth Facilities

Forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca

Wikimedia Commons

Www.louistheplantgeek.com

EFloras

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

7/2/2010 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 1 × 1½′ (34 × 52 cm)

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

10/4/2010 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

10/17/2009 · Susan & Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

Seeds are about 1/4" long. · 5/16/2012 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

10/4/2010 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

 

Jatropha podagrica description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

10/4/2010 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

10/17/2009 · Susan & Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

10/17/2009 · Susan & Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

10/4/2010 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

10/17/2009 · Susan & Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 12 × 17″ (29 × 44 cm)

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

10/17/2009 · Susan & Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Jatropha podagrica (gout plant, gout stick, Buddha belly, Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo, goutystalk nettlespurge)

4/11/2011 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land

Range: Zones 10-11:

About this map...