Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 22, 2026

Jatropha multifida

Jatropha multifida, called coral plant, coralbush, and physic nut, is a species of Jatropha native to Mexico and the Caribbean. A garden plant, it has been introduced to Florida, and to many places in South America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, China and Southeast Asia. Mildly toxic, consumption causes gastrointestinal distress.

Last revised
Jun 22, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
195 w
Citations
5
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Jatropha multifida
In a garden setting
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Jatropha
Species:
J. multifida
Binomial name
Jatropha multifida
Synonyms3
List
    • Adenoropium multifidum (L.) Pohl
    • Jatropha janipha Blanco
    • Manihot multifida (L.) Crantz

Jatropha multifida, called coral plant, coralbush, and physic nut (a name it shares with other members of its genus), is a species of Jatropha native to Mexico and the Caribbean.3 A garden plant, it has been introduced to Florida, and to many places in South America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, China and Southeast Asia. Mildly toxic, consumption causes gastrointestinal distress.4

References

References

  1. Machuca Machuca, K.; Martínez Salas, E. & Samain, M.-S. (2022). "Jatropha multifida". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022 e.T205094258A205616980. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T205094258A205616980.en. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  2. Sp. Pl.: 1006 (1753)
  3. "Jatropha multifida L." Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  4. Levin, Yotam; Sherer, Yaniv; Bibi, Haim; Schlesinger, Menachem; Hay, Emile (2000). "Rare Jatropha multifida intoxication in two children". The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 19 (2): 173–175. doi:10.1016/s0736-4679(00)00207-9. PMID 10903468.