Jatropha integerrima (Peregrina)

  • TropPlant Accession Number (TPAN): 0069
  • Botanical Name: Jatropha integerrima
  • Common Name: Peregrina, Spicy Jatropha, Rose-Colored Jatropha, Fire Cracker Jatropha
  • Cultivar: N/A
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
Jatropha integerrima 
Photo by Matthew Gaston


  • Native To: Hispaniola and Cuba

Landscaping Information: 

    • Plant Type: Treelet
    • Texture: Medium, Open
    • Form: Round Headed to Upright-broad. Can be somewhat easily trimmed into a Spreading form.
    • Height (on average, in landscape use): 10'-20'
    • Height to Spread Ratio: 1:1
    • Growth Rate: Medium
    • Landscape Values: Accent, Color, Framing, Screen, Specimen
    • Outstanding Quality: Flower Color
    Jatropha integerrima 
    Photo by Matthew Gaston

    Jatropha integerrima in Honolulu acting as a large hedge and screen. Note the staircase where the plant can be appreciated from above.
    Photo by Matthew Gaston


    Jatropha integerrima at UH Manoa trimmed into a spreading form
    Photo by Matthew Gaston

    Botanical Descriptions: 

    • Flowers: Colors range from vivid ruby red to gentle rose (especially popular is vivid ruby red);arranged on a terminal inflorescence; Monoecious, usually more male flowers than female flowers; 5 petals and 5 sepals; no fragrance
    Jatropha integerrima flowers
    Photo by Matthew Gaston

    Jatropha integerrima flowers with bee
    Photo by Matthew Gaston

    Jatropha integerrima male flowers 
    Photo by Matthew Gaston


    Jatropha integerrima flowers. Male on left, Female on right
    Photo by Matthew Gaston

    • Fruits:  Oblong, fleshy capsule; not common in Hawaii.
    • Foliage Color: Young/immature: Soft,Yellow Green. Mature: Medium Green to Dark green, but especially Dark Blue-Green.
    • Foliage Tip: Acuminate
    • Foliage Base: Cordate
    • Petiole: 0.5"-2.5"
    • Stipules: Present
    • Margins: Smooth
    • Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
    • Leaf Shape: Palmately Lobed
    • Leaf Type: Simple to Palmately Lobed (3-5 lobes)
    • Leaf Texture: Firm, stiff leaves with a velvety pubescent adaxial surface. Prominent venation on the abaxial surface.
    • Leaf Special Notes: The leaves of this plant are intriguing from their bright green to blue-green hues, to the range in shapes from almost entirely simple to palmately lobbed, to the textures of velvet. The long petioles and alternate leaf arrangement give this plant a whorling,, blooming appearance as well.  I rate this leaf a 9/10. Leaf Review (Clap Clap)
    Jatropha integerrima leaves
    Photo by Matthew Gaston


    • Bark and Trunk: Brownish Grey with Shallow furrows with reddish brown lenticels.
    Jatropha integerrima trunk of a mature plant
    Photo by Matthew Gaston 
    Jatropha integerrima trunk with lichens
    Photo by Matthew Gaston



    Horticultural Information: 

      • Light Preference: Full Sun
      • Light Tolerances: Near Full Sun
      • Soil Preferences: Not Particular, but needs to be Well-Drained
      • Tolerances: Acidic, Alkaline, Slightly Wind Tolerant
      • Water Requirements: Moderate watering required, but needs well draining soil
      • Notes on Maintenance: A member of Euphorbiaceae, All parts of this plant exude an irritating sap when broken. This sap can cause skin and eye irritation. Not advised to consume any part of this plant. Can be infected by mealy bugs.
      • Propagation: Seeds, but Cutting is perhaps the easiest
      • Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone: 10A
      • Weed Risk Assessment Score (WRA): 0,  Low Risk
      Note: Getting good photos for this plant was especially challenging. This page includes more photos than usual to compensate for the lower quality photos.
      Jatropha integerrima 
      Photo by Matthew Gaston
      Jatropha integerrima flowers
      Photo by Matthew Gaston 

      Jatropha integerrima flowers and bee
      Photo by Matthew Gaston

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