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Physic Nut
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Physic Nut
aturalized Photo: Prashant Awale
Common name: Physic Nut, Jatropha, Barbados nut • Hindi: जमाल घोटा Jamal ghota, रतनजोत Ratanjot, जंगली अरंडी Jangli arandi • Manipuri: ꯑꯋꯥꯀꯦꯒꯦ Awa kege • Marathi: Mogli Erand, Maraharalu • Tamil: Kattukkotai • Malayalam: Kattamank, Katalavanakku • Telugu: Nepalam, Adavi amudam • Kannada: Kananeranda • Bengali: Bagbherenda, Bherenda, Sada verenda • Oriya: Jahazigaba, Dhalajahaji • Konkani: Mogli erandi • Assamese: Salika kund, Bongali-botora, Bongali era • Gujarati: Radau-khurung, Jamalgota • Sanskrit: Darvanti • Mizo: Kangdamdawi, Thingthau • Nepali: सजीवन Sajiwan, हात्तीकाने Hattikaane, निर्गुणी Nirguni, अरिन Arin
Botanical name: Jatropha curcas    Family: Euphorbiaceae (Castor family)

Physic nut is a perennial poisonous shrub, up to 5 m high. It is an uncultivated non-food wild-species. The plant, originating in Central America, whereas it has been spread to other tropical and subtropical countries as well and is mainly grown in Asia and in Africa. It is used as a living fence to protect gardens and fields from animals. The plant sports large green to pale-green leaves, 8-15 cm, broadly ovate, cordate, shallowly 3 lobed, petioles around 5-15 cm. The inflorescence is formed in the leaf axel; flowers are formed terminally, individually, with female flowers usually slightly larger. Flowers greenish yellow. Fruits 3 to 4cm, globuse, yellowish green. Jatropha Curcas seed can be used as Bio diesel for any diesel engine without modification.
Medicinal uses: The leaves, seeds and oil of Dravanti is used to treat ulcer, tumour, scabies, wound, haemorrhoid, wound, splenomegaly, skin diseases, rheumatism and paralysis. Paste of dravanti, applied on wounds to clean to promote quick healing. Seeds are severe purgative.

Identification credit: Prashant Awale Photographed in Maharashtra.

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