Jatropha curcas

Agro-ecological Zone
Lowlands to Midlands
Growth rate Management practices Invasiveness Leafing Phenology Location
Fast Pruning, trimming as a hedge No Deciduous Kenya
Country Rainfall Temperature Altitude Soil
Kenya 300-1000 20-28 0-1650 Grows on well-drained soils with good aeration and is well adapted to marginal soils with low nutrient content. On heavy soils, root formation is reduced
Common names/English Kamba Kikuyu Maasai Samburu
Purging nut, Barbados nut or physic nut
Propagation Method Seed shelf life Pre-sowing seed treatment Seed Dispersal
Seedlings, cuttings Seeds are oily and do not store for long. Use frsh seeds for best results Not required but light hammering to create fine cracks in seed coat gives good results Rodents, shrew
Family Products Niche AFD Taxon AFD Link Useful Tropical Plant Taxon Useful Tropical Plant Link Ecological Services PROTA Other Links
Euphorbiaceae Medicine, Bean stakes Live fence, Cropland boundary, Scattered in cropland, Homestead boundary/live fence Jatropha curcas Jatropha curcas
Cultural Uses
Ornamental