Jatropha gossypiifolia L.

Code

IATGO

Growth form

Shrub

Biological cycle

Perennial

Habitat

Terrestrial

Global description

Jatropha gossypiifolia is a small shrub up to 3 m tall with succulent, thick stems, containing a white latex, sticky and with thick glandular hairs, also present on the petioles and the margin of the leaves. Leaves are simple, alternate quickly deciduous, present mainly at the top of the stems, with a petiole 3 to 15 cm long. Leaf-blade base is cordate, 3-20 cm wide, 3 to 5 deep lobes, green or purple, shiny. Individual male and female flowers clustered at the top of the stems. Male and female flowers with green acute sepals and purple oval petals. Male flower of 8 to 10 stamens. Female flower with a big ovary triloculated. The fruits are oblong capsules with 3 prominent compartments 1.2 cm long and 1 cm in section, containing 3 ovoid dark seeds 0.8 cm long.

 

New Caledonia: After 2 years of growth, Jatropha gossypiifolia produces a first peak of flowering and fruiting during the rainy season followed by a second peak in the dry season.

Jatropha gossypiifolia is a perennial plant that multiplies by seed and disperses by autochthony (the fruit explodes at maturity and projects the seeds away), which causes the formation of spots of a few m² to a few acres. The seeds are also spread by water, mud on vehicles and machinery or animal hair. They can remain viable in the soil for more than 10 years. J. gossypiifolia also emits from the roots. Stem fragments continue to produce reproductive organs and may endure several months after cutting. Fire promotes seed germination.

Jatropha gossypiifolia can be confused with ricinus (Ricinus communis) especially in the vegetative stage

Jatropha gossypiifolia is distinguished by its petioles with glandular hairs but without large gland, its leaves cordate at the base (not peltate), palmatilobées with 3-5 lobes and flowers with 5 rounded petals of purple red color.
Ricinus communis is distinguished by its petioles bearing 2 large red glands at the top and base, its peltate leaves (insertion of the petiole in the lower third of the limb), palmatilobed 6-11 lobes and flowers without petals with fleshy orange-red pistil.

 

New Caledonia: Jatropha gossypiifolia is present in the pastures of the northwest coast up to 100 m altitude (Voh, Ouaco). The plant is fond of clayey shoals along the creek.
Reunion: Jatropha gossypiifolia forms a few small naturalized populations in the driest areas, especially at the Pointe au sel on the west coast of the island.

Toxicity

Jatropha gossypiifolia is not eaten by livestock (cattle) because of the toxicity of its seeds (digestive, neuromuscular and respiratory problems).

 

Local control

Australia: A biological control agent against Jatropha gossypiifolia, the bug Agonosoma trilineatum (Hemyptera), is at the end of testing in Queensland. It appears as specific to the species by sparing other euphorbiaceae (including Cassava).
New Caledonia: The rotary grinding (cutting at 20 cm) is effective only in hot season when the plant devotes its energy to reproduction. In the dry season, it will emit rejects from the cut feet and reinforce its roots. We must destroy the branches on the ground that continue their activity. The combination of the rotary grinding with a chemical treatment by spraying on 2-month-old regrowths makes it possible to recover an infested parcel if it is followed by a sowing (sorghum and another grass) and a setting in defenses of at least 6 months allowing the installation of a soil cover sufficient to limit the germination of Jatropha gossypiifolia. The active ingredients in combination, triclopyr + 2,4-D and triclopyr + picloram are the most effective.

Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Jatropha%2520gossypiifolia