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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurges) |
| Origin: Cuba (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Synonyms: [J. hastata, J. pandurifolia] |
| Height: 4-8 feet |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Jatropha integerrima (Peregrina) - This dense rounded evergreen shrub grows from 3 to 10 feet tall and to almost tree-like proportions with age in frost-free climates. The 3 to 6 inch long by 2 inch wide leaves, green and velvety on upper surface and flecked with purple below, have sharp points on the lobes and are held on long leaf stems. The 1 inch wide five-petaled deep red flowers with yellow stamens are held in branched clusters on 4 inch long stalks at the branch tips in late spring and summer - the inflorescence continues to branch and flower for an extended period. It performs best in full sun in frost-free locations, but will grow in light shade and go semi-deciduous in colder locations. It is noted as having a good level of tolerance to saline conditions and a wide range of soil pH tolerance so long as the soils are well drained. The stems are hardy to 25 to 28° F and it can rebound from the base from temperatures that go lower and potted plants can be put in shelter over winter to rebound rapidly when placed outside in spring. Water regularly in late spring and summer. A great large shrub or screening plant in near frost-free areas of southern California and can be used as a summer annual or patio container plant in colder locations. Attractive to butterflies. This plant is native to Cuba, the West Indies and South America. Other common names include Spicy Jatropha, Chaya, Firecracker and Firecracker Jatroph. The genus name is derived from the Greek words 'iatros' which means "physician" and 'trophe' meaning "nutrition" as some members of the genus may have been used in medicine but as with many members of Euphorbiaceae, Jatropha contains compounds that are highly toxic. This species was first described in 1760 by Austrian botanist Nikolaus Joseph Jacquin (1727 - 1817) who botanized numerous Caribbean islands during a 4 year expedition beginning in 1755. The specific epithet comes from the Latin words 'integer' meaning "entire", "unbroken" or "untoothed" and 'rimus', the superlative suffix meaning "mostly so" or to the "greatest degree" in reference to this species having few lobed or toothed leaves as many Jatropha do have.
The information provided on this page is based on the research we have conducted about this plant in our nursery library, from what we have found about it on reliable online sources, as well as from observations of our nursery crops of this plant as well as of plants growing in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens. We also will incorporate comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Jatropha integerrima. |
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