JATROPHA MARGINATA

This member of the Euphorbiaceae family was given this name by Emilio Chiovenda in 1932. It is found in the sand dunes of Somalia, growing with some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to four centimetres in diameter, the spiny stem up to 20 centimetres height. The flowers are greenish and yellow inside.

The genera name from the Greek words ἰατρός; iatros, meaning 'physician', and τροφή; trophe meaning 'nutrition', as to medicinal uses. The species name from the leaves; 'edged, bordered, with a distinct margin'.