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Jatropha dioica
Also called Leatherwood
Leatherstem is a low, arching, succulent shrub from Texas and northern Mexico that spreads from underground rhizomes into colonies. It is a drought-tolerant xeriscape or rock garden plant that needs excellent drainage and full sun.
Jatropha dioica is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that is native to an area from Texas in the United States to as far south as Oaxaca in Mexico. Common names include leatherstem and sangre de drago. The specific name refers to the dioecious nature of the plants.
Latex is produced by a non-articulated laticifer 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". The roots contain riolozatrione (C20H26O3), a diterpene with antimicrobial properties. Sheep and goats experience severe gastroenteritis, vomiting, and abdominal pain upon consumption of the plant. Leatherstem is able to safely absorb a relatively high amount of zinc (6249 mg/kg).
The nominate variety occurs in southern and western Texas, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, and from Durango to Oaxaca. J. dioica var. graminea is found from Chihuahua to Zacatecas as well in the Trans-Pecos of Texas. Its type specimen was collected in Jimulco, Coahuila.
Jatropha dioica is traditionally used in the treatment of dental issues such as gingivitis, loose teeth, bleeding gums, and toothache. The latex is an astringent and may also be used as a red dye. Leatherstem is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental in xeriscapes or rock gardens.
Jatropha bullockii · Berlandier's nettlespurge · Jatropha chamelensis · Costa Rican jatropha · Barbados nut · Jatropha elliptica · Jatropha gaumeri · Bellyache bush · Peregrina · Jatropha macrantha · Moran's lomboy · Coralbush
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Jatropha dioica by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
