Jatropha elliptica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across various regions of the South American continent. Within Brazil, its range is extensively documented across the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast territories. Moving toward the western part of the continent, it can be found growing in Bolivia. Additionally, the species extends into the southern reaches of South America, specifically in Paraguay. Together, these locations highlight the diverse geographical distribution of Jatropha elliptica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Jatropha elliptica is characterized by its presence in diverse Brazilian biomes, specifically inhabiting the Caatinga (strictu sensu), the Cerrado (lato sensu), and various Palmeiral environments. This species thrives within a specific altitudinal belt, maintaining an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Palmeiral

Life history

The life history of Jatropha ellipticia is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a long-term presence in its ecosystem. In terms of its growth structure and positioning relative to the soil surface, it exhibits a chamaephyte life form, typically maintaining its conducting shoots close to or just above the ground level. This combination of a long-lived perennial nature and a low-growing chamaephyte habit enables the species to withstand various environmental stresses while ensuring continuous survival and reproductive potential over extended periods.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Jatropha elliptica is characterized by a growth form primarily categorized as a herb, manifesting as a non-woody plant structure. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and maintains a terrestrial existence rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or an epiphyte. While some morphological classifications may observe its climbing tendencies, it is described as a self-supporting entity rather than an obligatory liana or vine. This combination of traits defines it as a terrestrial, non-woody herb that grows independently in its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Rhizome

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Jatropha elliptica has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts from the rhizome, jatrophone.

Ethanolic extracts from the rhizome

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Jatrophone

1. Neurochemical research