Physic Nut

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Scientific name: Jatropha curcas
Description: Plant Form Perennial shrub or small tree. Size Up to 4 m tall. Stem Thick, spreading, and greyish in colour. Contains a highly toxic sap. Leaves Dark green, smooth and hairless. Roundish shape with 3-5 lobes and 5 prominent veins. Flowers Small, greenish-yellow or whitish, in clusters on stalks. Fruit and Seeds Fleshy and green, ripening to dark brown. 4 cm across, containing 2-3 black seeds. Habitat Disturbed areas, waste areas, roadsides, paddocks, open woodland, old gardens. Distinguishing Features Appears similar to Bellyache Bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) but distinguished by a lack of sticky hairs on the leaves and fruit. May also be mistaken for Castor Oil Plant (Ricinis communis) but has fever leaf lobes, and no spines on the fruit. Weed Status: Other Weed Weed Type: Environmental, Agricultural, Invasive Garden Escapee Lifeform: Shrubby, Woody/tree

Example images for this weed