Jatropha gossypifolia - Bellyache Bush

Hence the name! It's classed as a weed over here - it does have such lovely little flowers though (as most weeds do!)

Oooh, I'd steer away from this.... :o(

Bernieh:

Yes, it has very pretty flowers...this is the reason why I've left a few in the ground. They can become a small tree though.

Interesting... but I would do the same as TT....

Actually, this plant isn't as bad as I made it out to be...it reseeds profusely, so it is weedy, however, the seeds are very poisonous...not the stems or leaves.

It sounds a lot like the Castor Bean... Is Jatropha a Spurge?is it a relative? I grew Ricinus communis last summer because I wanted a large jungle like focal plant! the CB really fit the bill...and it was huge...over 8 ft. tall! and it's seeds are also extremely poisonous....

Lori:

This plant is related to Castor Bean...it's in the same family, Euphorbiaceae. It's not a Spurge though.

Yes, I know all about Castor Bean Trees. They grow wild here as a weed to 20 feet/ 6 meters tall...although they are pretty short-lived...only about 7 - 10 years.

Are Castor Bean Trees the same as Castor Oil Plants? We are plagued with them here in Sydney.

Pip c:

Yes, they're the same. Castor trees pop up everywhere...even in the asphalt along the freeways here.

We've had extreme flooding in California (just like in Australia) this year...that means we'll have billions popping up soon. :>)

sory for interrupt..hello..i from malaysian..can i ask,where can i find this plant? i need to do for my research project..huuhh..

Isamuddin:

Not sure where you can find it in Malaysia. However, it would most likely naturalize like crazy in your very hot and humid tropical climate.

Here in San Diego it's available at our local nurseries...however, it does naturalize...and becomes weedy.