Jatropha gaumeri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range primarily concentrated within Mexico and parts of Central America. In Mexico, its presence is noted in both the Northeast and Southeast regions of the country. Moving southward into Central America, the species can also be found in Belize. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the nation of Guatemala. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where Jatropha gaumeri grows.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Jatropha gaumeri is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the stem branches are elevated well above the ground level, protecting the vital meristems during unfavorable environmental conditions. Within this classification, it specifically exhibits traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, indicating a perennial nature with a structural habit that maintains its photosynthetic organs above the soil surface. As a phanerophyte, the plant undergoes seasonal developmental cycles that prioritize the maintenance of woody or semi-woody stems, allowing it to persist through varying climatic shifts. This life history strategy ensures long-term survival through the establishment of robust perennial structures, distinguishing it from shorter-lived life forms such as chamaephytes or hemicryptophytes.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Jatropha gaumeri is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, exhibiting a robust and substantial structure. Unlike many species within its genus that may exhibit climbing tendencies, this plant is classified as a self-supporting organism, functioning as an independent entity rather than an obligatory or facultative liana, vine, or climber. It maintains a terrestrial life habit, growing directly from the ground without behaving as an epiphyte. Furthermore, it is an independent species that does not function as a parasite, relying on its own metabolic processes for survival.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Jatropha gaumeri is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and resource use efficiency. The plant exhibits highly consistent leaf morphological traits, as evidenced by its leaf dry matter content (LDMC), which maintains a stable value of 234.2 mg/g across its minimum, mean, and maximum measurements. Complementing this structural density, the Specific Leaf Area (SLA) also shows remarkable uniformity, with a minimum, mean, and maximum value all recorded at 163.47 cm²/g. These physiological parameters suggest a specialized leaf architecture optimized for specific environmental conditions, balancing biomass investment with surface area for light interception.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

234.2 mg/g

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

163.47 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Jatropha gaumeri is characterized by a versatile dispersal syndrome that encompasses autochorous, anemochorous, zoochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized mechanisms, allowing the species to utilize various environmental vectors for seed distribution. The seeds produced by this plant exhibit a highly consistent morphology, with a recorded mean seed length of 13.636 mm. This uniformity is reflected in the seed dimensions, as both the minimum and maximum recorded seed lengths are also 13.636 mm, indicating a strictly standardized seed size within the observed population.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Seed length mean:

13.636 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Jatropha gaumeri 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 root.

Root

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Jatropha gaumeri has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include root extract.

Root extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology