JATROPHA MACRORHIZA

This member of the Euphorbiaceae family was given this name by George Bentham in 1839. It is found in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, central and northern Mexico, growing in a rich but well drained soil with some water and some sun. The caudex can grow to seven centimetres, the plant up from 50 to 80 centimetres height. The flowers are pale pink.

The genera name from the Greek words ἰατρός; iatros, meaning 'physician', and τροφή; trophe meaning 'nutrition', as to medicinal uses. The species name means 'large root'. A wild plant by Sue Carnahan, Swbiodiversity.org.