Jatropha glandulifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Jatropha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is well-documented across India and Sri Lanka. It is also found inhabiting the landscapes of Bangladesh. Moving further east into the Indo-China region, the species extends its reach into Myanmar. Consequently, its distribution follows a pattern typical of many medicinal flora found in these warm, humid climates.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Jatropha glandulifera is characterized by its structural classification and growth habits, primarily functioning as a phanerophyte, which signifies that its perennating buds are located well above the ground level on woody stems. Within this classification, the plant exhibits a robust developmental strategy that allows it to maintain its stature through various seasonal cycles. Depending on the specific environmental stressors and the maturity of the individual, its life form can also be characterized by elements of nanophanerophyte traits, indicating a tendency toward smaller, shrub-like growth forms when environmental constraints limit vertical extension. This dual potential in its life form allows the species to adapt its physical architecture to its niche, ensuring survival through the protection of its reproductive and vegetative buds above the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Jatropha glandulifera is characterized by its specialized growth habit and structural composition. It functions as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its physical structure to ascend without requiring external host support. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining its own metabolic processes without reliance on a host plant. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte, establishing its root system within the soil of its natural habitat. In terms of its structural tissue, the plant displays a woody nature, possessing a lignified stem that provides the necessary rigidity for its climbing life form.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Jatropha glandulifera has 5 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, flower, leaf, root, stem.

Seed

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine
2. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy

Flower

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Leaf

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Root

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Stem

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Chemicals

Jatropha glandulifera has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Glycosides, Phenols, Saponins, Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Glycosides

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Phenols

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Saponins

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Tannins

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

triterpenoids

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Medicinal Uses

Jatropha glandulifera has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum.

Most Reported Uses