Bitterroot Restoration

Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common name: Lal jeol, Keron(Beng.); Bellyache bush(Eng.).
Life cycle:
Native Range: Native of tropical central and South America and Caribbean islands.

Jatropha gossypifolia is erect shrub or small tree to 4 m high, deciduous in dry conditions. Stems hairy, non-woody. Their leaves initially purplish but green when mature, sticky, 5.5–14 cm long, 7.5–12.5 cm wide, rounded in outline, leaf stalks 4.5–11.5 cm long. Their fruit an oblong capsule, initially green, ripening dark brown, mostly3 or 4 seeded.

In Ayurveda the oil from the seeds is used for treatment of eczema and skin itches, though the main use is as renewable source of energy as bio diesel.