Jatropha species: Barbados nut

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Common Names

Barbados nut, physic nut, purging nut, coral plant.

Plant Description

This large genus of some 200 species is native to the warm temperate and tropical regions of Asia, the Americas, and especially South America. Some of the species are desirable ornamentals because of their large attractive leaves and bright and unique flowers. Some species tolerate dry conditions and do well in cactus gardens.

Jatropha species can be perennial herbs, shrubs, or small trees. Most have a milky sap. Stems are erect, woody or fleshy especially basally. Depending on the species, some are monoecious, and others dioecious. The leaves are simple, alternate, or fascicled, and with varying shapes including being pinnate, palmate, chordate, or reniform. The margins are entire or toothed. Inflorescences are compound small clusters or cymes produced terminally or from leaf axils. Individual flowers are small, with 5 sepals and 5 petals often fused with the adjacent gland. Colors range from bright red to purple and yellow. Fruits are capsules containing 1 - 3 seeds (Fig. 225, Fig. 226, Fig. 227 and Fig. 228).

Figure 225. Jatropha podagrica.

Figure 226. Jatropha podagrica flowers and fruits.

Figure 227. Jatropha multifida.

Figure 228. Jatropha integerrima.

Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action

All parts of the plant, and in particular, the seeds contain a wide variety of diterpenoid esters of the tigliane type similar to those found in other members of the euphorbia family [1]. The primary effect of the diterpenoid esters is gastrointestinal irritation characterized by excessive salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Various other compounds are present in the seeds, but have no or unknown effects on animals. A lectin, similar to the ricin in Ricinus communis, is also present in the seeds and may contribute to the gastrointestinal irritation [2].

Risk Assessment

Under most circumstances Jatropha species are not a particular problem to household pets or children as they are relatively unusual house or garden plants. However their popularity in tropical areas is increasing and therefore the potential risk of the seeds being ingested is a factor.

Most poisoning occurs in children who eat the seeds [3,4]. The toxicity of some species of Jatropha has been well documented in sheep, goats, cattle, and chickens [5-7.] The lethal dose of Jatropha curcas seeds in calves was as low as 0.25gm/kg body weight [7].

Clinical Signs

The irritant effects of the Jatropha are usually manifested within a few hours of ingestion of the seeds and consist of excessive salivation, vomiting, and severe diarrhea that can lead to dehydration and death. Treatment consists of aggressive fluid therapy, and intestinal protectants to counter the dehydration from the diarrhea. The major pathologic findings include generalized enteritis, hemorrhages through many organs, hepatic degeneration, and pulmonary congestion [7].