Family: Euphorbiaceae Scientific name: Jatropha gossypiifolia Description: Plant Form Erect deciduous shrub or tree. Size Up to 4 m tall. Stem Young stems are purplish and hairy, older are softly woody, thick and succulent with a soapy sap. Leaves 10-15 cm long with 3 or 5 deep lobes, and on long stalks. Purplish with sticky hairs when young, turning green with age. Flowers Small and in loose branched clusters at the tip of stems 10-15 cm long. Purple to red with 5 petals. Fruit and Seeds Three lobed hairy oval or oblong capsules, green to brown as they mature. Habitat Drier tropical or subtropical areas, forests, waterways and disturbed areas. Distinguishing Features Distinguished from Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) and Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) by sticky hairs on young stems and leaves. Impacts Forms impenetrable thickets. Poisonous to livestock and habitat for feral animals.