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Barbados Nut (Jatropha curcas)

Barbados Nut (Jatropha curcas) is a drought-tolerant shrub or small tree producing oil-rich seeds. Its sap can be used for medicinal purposes and dyeing.

Above information is sourced from Wikipedia

Sunlight

Full Sun

Watering

Moderate to Low

Soil

Well-drained, sandy loam

Temperature

Warm

Fertilizer

Low

Care Requirements

Light Requirements

Full Sun

Prefers at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and flowering.

Watering Needs

Moderate to Low

Allow soil to dry out between waterings; drought-tolerant when established.

Soil

Well-drained, sandy loam

Temperature Preference

Warm

Thrives in warm to hot climates; sensitive to frost. Ideal temperatures are between 20-30°C.

Fertilizer Needs

Low

Requires minimal fertilization; over-fertilizing can be detrimental.

Plant Overview

Plant Type

Shrub, Tree

Plant Category

Ornamental, Fruit

Plant Place Type

Garden, Pot

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Height

3-7 m

Spread

2-4 m

Growth Rate

Fast

Dormancy

None

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Lobed

Flower Size

1-1.5 cm

Optimal Sunlight Lux

65000

Image Gallery

Synonyms
Curcas adansonii Endl.
Curcas drastica Mart.
Curcas indica A.Rich.
Curcas lobata Splitg. ex Lanj.
Curcas purgans Medik.
Hedera corymbosa Choisy ex DC.
Hydnocarpus corymbosus (Choisy ex DC.) Seem.
Jatropha acerifolia Salisb.
Jatropha afrocurcas Pax
Jatropha edulis Sessé
Jatropha yucatanensis Briq.
Manihot curcas (L.) Crantz
Ricinus americanus Mill.
Ricinus jarak Thunb.
Taxonomy
  • kingdomPlantae
  • divisionTracheophyta
  • classMagnoliopsida
  • orderMalpighiales
  • familyEuphorbiaceae
  • genusJatropha
  • speciesJatropha curcas
Toxicity

Toxic for humans

Yes

Rating: 7/5

Toxic for pets

Yes

Rating: 7/5

Edible

No

All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the seeds, due to the presence of phorbol esters. Ingestion can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Topical contact with the sap can cause skin irritation and blister

Additional Care Tips

FAQs