''Jatropha dioica'' is a species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

in the spurge family,

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae (), the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants. In English, they are also commonly called euphorbias, which is also the name of Euphorbia, the type genus of the family. Most spurges, such as ''Euphorbia paralias'', ar ...

, that is native to an area from

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

in the United States to as far south as

Oaxaca Oaxaca, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Oaxaca, is one of the 32 states that compose the political divisions of Mexico, Federative Entities of the Mexico, United Mexican States. It is divided into municipalities of Oaxaca, 570 munici ...

in Mexico. Common names include leatherstem and sangre de drago. The specific name refers to the

dioecious Dioecy ( ; ; adj. dioecious, ) is a characteristic of certain species that have distinct unisexual individuals, each producing either male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproduction is ...

nature of the plants.

Description

''Jatropha dioica'' forms colonies from subterranean

rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome ( ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and Shoot (botany), shoots from its Node (botany), nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from ...

s. The arching,

succulent In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meani ...

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 In botany, an inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's stem that is composed of a main branch or a system of branches. An inflorescence is categorized on the basis of the arrangement of flowers on a main axis ( ped ...

. 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 Latex is an emulsion (stable dispersion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latices are found in nature, but synthetic latices are common as well. In nature, latex is found as a wikt:milky, milky fluid, which is present in 10% of all floweri ...

is produced by a non-articulated

laticifer A laticifer is a type of elongated secretory cell found in the leaves and/or stems of plants that produce latex and rubber as secondary metabolites. Laticifers may be divided into: *Articulated laticifers, i.e., composed of a series of cells joine ...

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 Dragon's blood is a bright red resin which is obtained from different species of a number of distinct plant genera: '' Calamus'' spp. (previously ''Daemonorops'') also including '' Calamus rotang'', '' Croton'', '' Dracaena'' and ''Pterocarpus'' ...

". The roots contain riolozatrione (C₂₀H₂₆O₃), a

diterpene Diterpenes are a class of terpenes composed of four isoprene units, often with the molecular formula C20H32. They are biosynthesized by plants, animals and fungi via the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate being a primary ...

with antimicrobial properties. Sheep and goats experience severe

gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis, also known as infectious diarrhea, is an inflammation of the Human gastrointestinal tract, gastrointestinal tract including the stomach and intestine. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Fever, lack of ...

, vomiting, and abdominal pain upon consumption of the plant. Leatherstem is able to safely absorb a relatively high amount of

zinc Zinc is a chemical element; it has symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a shiny-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed. It is the first element in group 12 (IIB) of the periodic tabl ...

(6249 mg/kg).

Habitat and range

The nominate variety occurs in southern and western

Tamaulipas Tamaulipas, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Tamaulipas, is a state in Mexico; one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 federal entities of Mexico. It is divided into 43 municipalities. It is located in nor ...

Nuevo León Nuevo León, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Nuevo León, is a Administrative divisions of Mexico, state in northeastern Mexico. The state borders the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí, San Luis ...

, and from

Durango Durango, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Durango, is one of the 31 states which make up the Political divisions of Mexico, 32 Federal Entities of Mexico, situated in the northwest portion of the country. With a population of 1,832,650 ...

. ''J. dioica'' var. ''graminea'' is found from Chihuahua to

Zacatecas Zacatecas, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Zacatecas, is one of the Political divisions of Mexico, 31 states of Mexico. It is divided into Municipalities of Zacatecas, 58 municipalities and its capital city is Zacatecas City, Zacatec ...

Dehgan, p. 53 as well in the

Trans-Pecos The Trans-Pecos, as originally defined in 1887 by the Texas geologist Robert T. Hill, is the distinct portion of Texas that lies west of the Pecos River. The term is considered synonymous with Far West Texas, a subdivision of West Texas. The Tran ...

of Texas. Its type specimen was collected in Jimulco,

Coahuila Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Coahuila de Zaragoza, is one of the 31 states of Mexico. The largest city and State Capital is the city of Saltillo; the second largest is Torreón and the thi ...

.Dehgan, p. 53

Uses

''Jatropha dioica'' is traditionally used in the treatment of dental issues such as

gingivitis Gingivitis is a non-destructive disease that causes inflammation of the gums; ulitis is an alternative term. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms (also ...

, loose teeth, bleeding gums, and toothache. The latex is an

astringent An astringent (sometimes called adstringent) is a chemical that shrinks or constricts body tissues. The word derives from the Latin '' adstringere'', which means "to bind fast". Astringency, the dry, puckering or numbing mouthfeel caused by t ...

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

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q12060859 dioica Plants described in 1794 Flora of Chihuahua (state) Flora of the Chihuahuan Desert Flora of Durango Flora of Oaxaca Flora of Texas Flora of Zacatecas Taxa named by Martín Sessé y Lacasta Dioecious plants