JATROPHA LAGARINTHOIDES

This member of the Euphorbiaceae family was given this name by Otto Wilhelm Sonder in 1850. It is found in Magalisberg; eastern South Africa, growing in sand or another well drained soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The Swollen stem can grow to seven centimetres or more and the plant reach a height of 80 centimetres. The flowers are white.

The genera name from the Greek words ἰατρός; iatros, meaning 'physician', and τροφή; trophe meaning 'nutrition', as to medicinal uses. The species name for its resemblance with Lagarinthus, a genera in the Asclepiadaceae family. Photo by Roger and Alison Heath, Plantsoftheworldonline.org.