Jatropha dioica

Description

Jatropha dioica forms colonies from subterranean rhizomes. The arching, succulent stems reach a height of 20–60 cm and have few branches. They are tough and sufficiently flexible to be tied into overhand knots without breaking. The orange rootstock spreads to a length of around 1 m. Leaves are arranged simply, alternately, or fascicularly and are clustered on short shoots extending from the stems. They are subsessile and have entire margins. The leaves of the nominate variety are linear and measure up to 6 × 1 cm, whereas the leaves of J. dioica var. graminea may be 2 to 3-lobed and measure up to 6.5 × 0.5 cm. Male inflorescences are clustered cymes. Their flowers possess 3.5 mm sepals, 5 mm petals, and 10 stamens. Female flowers are urceolate with 5 mm petals that are recurved at the tips. Blooming takes place during the spring and early summer. The fruit is a 5 × 12 mm capsule divided into 1 to 2 cells. Seeds are subglobose and measure 1 × 1 cm.

Phytochemistry

Latex is produced by a non-articulated laticifer network composed of 5 to 7 cells. It changes from clear-yellow to blood red as it is exposed to air, hence its Spanish name sangre de drago, "dragon's blood". The roots contain riolozatrione (C20H26O3), a diterpene with antimicrobial properties. Sheep and goats experience severe gastroenteritis, vomiting, and abdominal pain upon consumption of the plant. Leatherstem is able to safely absorb a relatively high amount of zinc (6249 mg/kg).

Habitat and range

The nominate variety occurs in southern and western Texas, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, and from Durango to Oaxaca. J. dioica var. graminea is found from Chihuahua to Zacatecas as well in the Trans-Pecos of Texas. Its type specimen was collected in Jimulco, Coahuila.

Uses

Jatropha dioica is traditionally used in the treatment of dental issues such as gingivitis, loose teeth, bleeding gums, and toothache. The latex is an astringent and may also be used as a red dye. Leatherstem is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental in xeriscapes or rock gardens.

Ecology

Sangre de drago acts as a nurse plant for small cacti such as Lophophora species. The seeds are eaten by white-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica).

Gallery

Jatropha dioica 1.JPG Sangre de drago - Jatropha dioica (Euphorbiaceae).jpg Jatropha dioica (Family Euphorbiaceae) - sangre de Drago.jpg Sangre de drago (Jatropha dioica) I.jpg Foglia di jatropha dioica var dioica.jpg

Footnotes

References

References

1. (2021). "''Jatropha dioica''".
2. {{GRIN
3. {{ITIS
4. Manhart, Jim. "Santa Elena Canyon". Texas A&M University.
5. Dehgan, p. 48
6. Everitt, J. H.. (2002). "Trees, Shrubs, and Cacti of South Texas". Texas Tech University Press.
7. Powell, A. Michael. (1998). "Trees and Shrubs of the Trans-Pecos and Adjacent Areas". University of Texas Press.
8. Carter, S.. (2004). "Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants". Birkhäuser.
9. "Leatherstem, Sangra de Drago, Sangregrado, Sangre de Grado, Tecote Prieto, Tocote Prieto, Telondillo, Tlapalezpatli, Pinon del Cerro, Coatli, Torte Amarillo, Drago ''Jatropha dioica''". Texas A & M University.
10. Agrawal, Anurag A.. (2009). "Latex: A Model for Understanding Mechanisms, Ecology, and Evolution of Plant Defense Against Herbivory". Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics.
11. Devappa, Rakshit K.. (2011). "''Jatropha'' Diterpenes: a Review". Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society.
12. McGinty, Allan. "Reducing Livestock Losses to Toxic Plants". Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
13. González, R. Carrillo. (November 2006). "Metal accumulation in wild plants surrounding mining wastes". Environmental Pollution.
14. "''Jatropha dioica'' Cerv. leatherstem". United States Department of Agriculture.
15. Dehgan, p. 53
16. Kay, Margarita Artschwager. (1996). "Healing with Plants". University of Arizona Press.
17. "''Jatropha dioica'' Sessé ex Cerv.". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
18. (2010-09-02). "Flora that is commonly associated with the ''Lophophora'' species". Cactus Conservation Institute.