Description
Jatropha is a genus of flowering plants in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae.
Maheshwari s Jatropha is an undershrub 1.5-2 m tall. It is named for Prof. Panchanan Maheshwari (1904-1966), Indian botanist. It is found in the costal areas of Tamilnadu and Kerala in India. It grows in porous, redsoil in summer. The caudex can grow to 30 cm.
Plant Specifications
| Plant Height | 24 inch (61 cm) |
| Plant Spread | 5 inch (13 cm) |
| Common Name | coral plant |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 6.00 to 10.00 feet |
| Flower Colour | Red |
| Bloom Time | Seasonal bloomer |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
After planting the plant you should water it daily for the first week. Then you can decrease the watering time to the alternative days. After two weeks you can water the plant when you see the soil surface is dry. This is possible since jatropha is a drought tolerant plant.
Jatropha can be pruned at any time. They can be pruned as a single trunk for tree growth, or tip pruned for internal branching. Tip pruning will give the appearance of a shrub giving the plant a round shape.
Jatropha Red care
In areas warm enough to support its growth, wait until mid-May or later to set it out. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Those growing in full sun flower best, though. Spicy jatropha is not particular about soil pH, as long as the soil is well-draining.
Once established, it grows rapidly. A regular watering schedule is necessary for the first growing season, so that it builds a deep and extensive root system. The jatropha tolerates drought and saline conditions to a moderate degree.
| Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 20-28 degrees |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Jatropha Red special feature
Where winter hardy this evergreen flowering shrub is an ornamental for borders, landscape accent/specimen, foundations or patio containe In cooler climates, container plants may be brought indoors for winter or plants may be grown as houseplants.
Jatropha Red uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- Unverified information Roots, seeds, leaves and seed oil are used to treat jaundice, constipation, piles, anemia, conjuctivitis
- The roots are purgative, anthelmintic, carminative, rubefacient and anodyne
- Used in abdominal pain, constipation, calculus, general anasarca, piles, helminthic infestation, scabies and skin disorders
- Root paste is applied to painful swellings and piles
- The leaves relieve asthma and seeds are used to cure snakebites