Bellyache Bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Oil Nut Tree
• Pandou
• Physic Nut
• Pondu
• bellyache-bush
• black physicnut
• cotton-leaf physicnut

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Manihot gossypiifolia
• Adenoropium gossypiifolium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Jatropha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the tropical regions of Africa and its surrounding islands. In the Macaronesian region, it can be found growing in Cape Verde. Its presence extends significantly across West Tropical Africa, where it inhabits various territories. Specifically, it is documented in countries such as Burkina, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. Additionally, the species is well-established within the borders of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Jatropha gossypiifolia is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across diverse environmental settings, ranging from disturbed anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) to highly specific natural ecosystems. It is found in a variety of biomes and vegetation types, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Restinga, and various forest formations such as Gallery Forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), Terra Firme Forests, and Ombrophilous (Pluvial) Forests. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2100 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 1600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Jatropha gossypiifolia are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cytogenetic profile. The species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 22, a fundamental genetic baseline that influences its reproductive biology and evolutionary stability. This chromosomal arrangement is consistent with its diploidy level of 2, indicating that the organism maintains two complete sets of chromosomes within its somatic cells. These genetic parameters serve as essential markers for understanding the plant's inheritance patterns, genomic complexity, and its capacity for phenotypic variation within medicinal breeding programs.

Chromosome number :

22

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Jatropha gossypiifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, it functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its stem branches above the ground level, though it can also be classified as a nanophanerophyte depending on its specific size and developmental stage. Throughout its lifecycle, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage to support continuous physiological activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Jatropha gossypiifolia is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it grows independently and does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in plant height, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 5 m, with a mean height of approximately 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Jatropha gossypiifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. The plant's vegetative structure features leaves with significant morphological variability, typically ranging in length from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 16 cm, while the width of these leaves fluctuates between a minimum of 7 cm and a maximum of 15 cm. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition and symbiotic capabilities, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on soil-available nitrogen rather than biological nitrogen fixation through symbiotic associations.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width min:

7 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Jatropha gossypiifolia is facilitated by biotic pollination syndromes, primarily driven by insects such as bees. The plant produces distinctive red flowers to attract these pollinators, and the reproductive process is characterized by the presence of self-fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit that typically measures around 1.4 cm in length, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.4 cm. These fruits are dehiscence-type, meaning they split open at maturity to release the seeds. The seeds themselves vary in length from 5.5 mm to 7.3 mm and maintain a consistent mass of approximately 0.04604 g. Once released, the seeds undergo dispersal via a zoochorous syndrome, utilizing animals to aid in their movement and colonization of new environments.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

red

Fruit length max:

1.4 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

7.3 mm

Seed length min:

5.5 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.04604 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Jatropha gossypiifolia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
3. Veterinary parasitology
4. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Seed

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Chemicals

Jatropha gossypiifolia has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Isoorientin, Isovitexin, Steroids, Sugars.

Flavonoids

1. PloS one
2. Genetics and molecular research : GMR
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Isoorientin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Planta medica

Isovitexin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Planta medica

Steroids

1. PloS one
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Sugars

1. PloS one
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Tannins

1. PloS one
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Terpenes

1. PloS one
2. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Vitexin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Natural product research

quercetin

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

3-Genistein-8-C-glucoside

1. Planta medica

Activities

Jatropha gossypiifolia has 13 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Antimicrobial

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Natural product research

Cytotoxic

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR
2. Genetics and molecular biology

Genotoxic

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR
2. Genetics and molecular biology

Antibacterial

1. Natural product research

Anticancer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Anticoagulant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antidiabetic

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihypertensive

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antithrombotic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Medicinal Uses

Jatropha gossypiifolia has 27 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include snakebites, E. coli, Helicobacter pylori, analgesic, antidiabetic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations