leatherstem

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• leatherwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Jatropha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across North America. In the South-Central United States, its presence is documented within the state of Texas. Its range extends significantly into Mexico, where it is found in the central regions. Furthermore, the species is located throughout Northeast Mexico. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the Southwest region of Mexico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Jatropha dioica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form in which the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, typically just above the ground level. This botanical growth habit, specifically identified through its chamaephyte classification, enables the plant to maintain its life cycle and structural integrity within its ecological niche over an extended period.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Jatropha dioica is characterized by a growth form that ranges from a subshrub to a woody shrub. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, functioning instead as an independent organism rather than a parasite. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting, lacking the climbing or vining habits of lianas or facultative climbers, and maintains a stable, woody stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Jatropha dioica is facilitated through the production of seeds that exhibit notable variations in weight. The seed mass within a population shows a significant range, with a minimum recorded weight of 0.127 g and a maximum weight reaching up to 0.54549 g. On average, the seed mass is approximately 0.266496667 g, reflecting the diversity in resource allocation and developmental consistency during the reproductive cycle of the plant.

Seed mass max:

0.54549 g

Seed mass mean:

0.266496667 g

Seed mass min:

0.127 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Jatropha dioica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of chromatographic science
2. Journal of natural products
3. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Chemicals

Jatropha dioica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6-epi-Riolozatrione, Citlalitrione, Jatrophatrione, RIOLOZATRIONE, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

6-epi-Riolozatrione

1. Journal of chromatographic science
2. Journal of natural products

Citlalitrione

1. Journal of chromatographic science
2. Journal of natural products

Jatrophatrione

1. Journal of chromatographic science
2. Journal of natural products

RIOLOZATRIONE

1. Journal of chromatographic science
2. Journal of natural products

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Journal of natural products

glucose

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

jatropholone B

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Jatropha dioica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Trichinella spiralis.

Trichinella spiralis

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Jatropha dioica has 8 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic extracts, MeOH root extracts, acetone extract, dichloromethane extract of the roots, ethanol extracts.

Ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic extracts

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Meoh root extracts

1. Journal of natural products

Acetone extract

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Dichloromethane extract of the roots

1. Journal of natural products

Ethanol extracts

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Extracts obtained from 15 medicinal plants using water (at 25 and 90 °c) or ethanol (at 25 °c)

1. Natural product research

Hexane extract

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Root extracts

1. Journal of chromatographic science