Bellyache bush - Jatropha gossypifolia

Common Name :	Bellyache bush, Black physicnut, Cotton-leaf physicnut.
Botanical Name :	Jatropha gossypifolia
Family :	Euphorbiaceae
Bengali Name :	Laal verenda.
Photo Taken :	Bangladesh

It is about the plant Bellyache bush which is also known as Black physicnut, Cotton-leaf physicnut, etc. This plant is from the plant family Euphorbiaceae. This plant is native to Mexico, South America, and Caribbean region. Botanical name of the plant is Jatropha gossypifolia. Probably this plant was spread to other tropical part of the world during the colonial era.

Different colored leafs in the same Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia) plant.

Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia) is a shrubby plant, but grows as a tree and doesn't have any woody stem. Normally this is an evergreen plant, but can be deciduous during dry season. Leaf color is green when matured, and young leafs are dark reddish. Few of these plants can grow more than 4 meter sometimes. Palmate leafs are glossy (three lobbed), but can be poisonous. Young leafs can be sticky.





Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia) flower is extremely beautiful. Color of the flower is dark red or scarlet. It has five thick petals. At the same tree you can find both male and female flowers. Flowers are having yellow reproduction system at the center. Flowers are quite small, so anyone can hardly notice this. Fruit of the plant is a cherry sized pod.

A cherry sized fruit pod of Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia).

Everything from the plant is useful and dangerous at the same time. For example the whole plant is capable to provide different type of medicines (arthritis, eczema, itching, etc). Similarly if any part of the plant is ingested inside can cause severe damage. The seeds and the fruits of the plant are highly toxic. So be careful!


Photos of Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia) were taken from the following location of Bangladesh. In Bangla this plant is known as Laal bherenda (লাল ভেরেণ্ডা).
1. July 2011: Rangamati.


This article has written by Lonely Traveler,
for the blog http://icflora.blogspot.com/