Jatropha podagrica

Jatrophia podagrica, commonly known as the Jatropha plant or Buddha belly plant, is a distinctive succulent native to Madagascar. Renowned for its unique, swollen stems and vibrant red flowers, it is highly valued in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties, including its potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial applications.

  • Scientific name: Jatropha podagrica
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Tropical

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae within the genus Jatropha.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malpighiales WCVP
Family Euphorbiaceae WCVP
Genus Jatropha WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across various tropical and subtropical regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in India. Its range extends into the Northwestern Pacific, specifically around the Caroline Islands. Additionally, it is present in the North-Central Pacific, including the islands of Hawaii. Finally, the species is located in Mexico, spanning both the Mexico Gulf and the Mexico Southwest regions.

Region Area Source
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Northwestern Pacific Caroline Is. WCVP
North-Central Pacific Hawaii WCVP
Mexico Mexico Gulf WCVP
Mexico Mexico Southwest WCVP
Mexico Mexico Southeast WCVP
Central America Costa Rica WCVP
Central America El Salvador WCVP
Central America Guatemala WCVP
Central America Honduras WCVP

Chemicals

Jatropha podagrica has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include fraxetin, Corilagin, corchoionoside C, corillagin, ellagic acid.

Total chemicals
12
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
fraxetin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Corilagin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
corchoionoside C 1 ★☆☆☆☆
corillagin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ellagic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fraxin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gallic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hovetrichoside C 1 ★☆☆☆☆
isobiflorin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
methyl gallate 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Jatropha podagrica has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiprotozoal 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Jatropha podagrica has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include snake envenomation, tumor cell lines.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
snake envenomation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tumor cell lines 1 ★☆☆☆☆