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Jatropha 

Jatropha integerrima

• Common Name: Jatropha (other common names: Peregrina, Spicy Jatropha, or Firecracker)
  
• Scientific Name: Jatropha integerrima
  
• Family Name: Euphorbiaceae
  
• Origin: West Indies and Cuba
  
• Height: 8’ – 10’ (up to 15’)
  
• Width: 8’ – 10’ (up to 15’)
  
• Growth: moderate to fast
  
• Zone: 9B – 11 but best in 10 – 11 (frost and freezes will damage them, but they usually recover quickly.)
  
• Light Needs: Partial Shade – Full Sun (flower best in full sun)
  
• Salt Tolerance:  none
  
• Soil/PH/Texture: soils can vary – clay, loam, and sand, acidic – alkaline. Not particular on soil pH.
  
• Soil Moisture: average water needs, well drained, but once established it is fairly drought tolerant.
  
• Drought Tolerance: moderate
  
• Pests/Diseases: No pests or diseases are of major concern but occasionally bothered by mites, scales, and superficial leaf miner.
  
• Growing Conditions: low maintenance
  
• Characteristics: this tropical evergreen has slender stems and multiple trunks, individual flowers on this species are star-shaped and generally red, although a pink-flowered variety exists. Flowers are 1-inch wide and are produced year-round in beautiful clusters that are held upright above the lobed leaves.
  
• Propagation: by seed (scarify) and from woody stem cuttings.
  
• Wildlife: attracts bees, hummingbirds and butterflies, some of these butterflies that love the Jatropha are monarchs, swallowtails, and zebra longwings.
  
• Facts: all parts of Jatropha are poisonous when ingested, so take care if you have children or pets around them and the milky sap can irritate sensitive skin.
  
• Designer Considerations: used as a bush, specimen, accent or even makes a great container plant for your patio. It is also used in xeriscaping.​​​​

Jatropha