Jatropha

A genus of plants of the family Euphorbiaceae; a poisonous plant found in eastern Africa and the West Indies. [G. iatros, physician, + trophe, nourishment]

- J. curcas barbados nut or physic-nut, the seed of which furnishes a purgative oil similar to croton oil. SYN: J. glandulifera.

- J. glandulifera SYN: J. curcas.

- J. urens a species of South America; the macerated fresh leaves are used as a rubefacient and stimulating poultice; the seeds furnish a purgative oil.

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Jat·ro·pha 'ja-trə-fə n a widely distributed mainly tropical American genus of herbs, shrubs, and trees (family Euphorbiaceae) which usu. have lobed leaves and inconspicuous flowers and of which a number including the physic nut (J. curcas) yield oils of medicinal value

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Jat·ro·pha (jatґro-fə) [Gr. iatros physician + trophē nourishment] a genus of plants of the family Euphorbiaceae, commonly found from Mexico to South America; various species have cathartic, stomachic, febrifuge, and astringent properties. J. curґcas L. and J. multiґfida L. (both called physic nut or purging nut) have seeds containing a cathartic oil and a phytotoxin; when consumed by ruminants they cause diarrhea and damage to various internal organs.