Nettlespurge (Jatropha)
Description
“Pet poisonous” – Toxic parts: seed Jatropha-is a-genus-of-flowering plants-in the-spurge-family,-Euphorbiaceae. The name is derived from the-Greek-words ------ (iatros), meaning "physician", and ----- (trophe), meaning "nutrition", hence the common name-physic nut. Another common name is-nettlespurge.-It contains approximately 170 species of-succulent plants,-shrubs-and trees (some are-deciduous, like-Jatropha curcas). Most of these are native to the-Americas, with 66 species found in the-Old World.-Plants produce-separate-male and female-flowers. As with many members of the family-Euphorbiaceae,-Jatropha-contains compounds that are highly toxic. Jatropha species have traditionally been used in basketmaking, tanning and dye production. In the 2000s, one species,-Jatropha curcas, generated interest as an oil crop for-biodiesel-production.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Euphorbiales
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Family: Euphorbiaceae
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Genus: Jatropha
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