CSIR-NEERI Biodiversity Portal

NEERI Biodiversity Portal

Easy access to campus Biodiversity...

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NBP was inaugurated by Dr. M.S. Ladania, Director, NRCC Nagpur on 8 April 2015

Coral Nut

Jatropha podagrica Hook.

Botanical name	: Jatropha podagrica Hook.
Common Name	: Coral Nut
Family	: Euphorbiaceae
Synonym	: No Synonym
About	: Ornamental Plant. Plant has thick gouty stem. It has thin, greenish bark which exudes copious amounts of watery sap when cut. Leaves with broad, blunt lobes and a stout stalk. Flowers are red and similar to those of which are bright red and resemble a piece of coral. Similar to that of J. curcas, that is - small capsule-like, round fruit; about 2.5 - 4 cm (1-1.5 inches) in diameter. These are green and fleshy when immature, becoming dark brown when ripe and splitting to release 2 or 3 black seeds each about 2 cm (3/4 inch) long. The meat of the seeds is white and oily in texture and is reported to have an agreeable taste.