It occurred to me this morning there are not too many plants that would work in this narrow space in my garden (about 18″ wide). This is a very funky plant, a Jatropha multifida, called the Coral Plant. I thought initially the name was based on the color of the flower, but then realized the flower does resemble an actual coral.
The foliage on this plant resembles something else. Cannabis, however, all Jatropha is poisonous, so I would resist the urge to smoke it and keep it away from children and pets.
The Jatrophas are interesting plants, tropical – this one is native to Mexico. They do best in South Florida or where temperatures stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Common to members of the Euphorbia family, they exude toxic, milky sap and can become a nuisance by its tendency to produce a lot of seeds. However, the seeds contain oils that have been proposed for use to make sustainable biodiesel fuel. They just haven’t quite figured out how yet. Click for the Biodiesel story.
Despite the fact this plant is widely reported to love sharp drainage, full sun and noted for its extreme drought tolerance – it suffered in such a place in my pollinator garden and is much happier in its new skinnier digs with protection from the western sun. Butterflies continue to enjoy the flowers and I will as well now that the Coral Plant is in a happier place.
The Shrub Queen 
It’s a very attractive plant, both flower and foliage. Looks great against the stucco background.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks,Eliza. I will be interested to see what happens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool plant, although I might be nervous about that “milky, toxic sap” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a long way from my greyhounds…and my husband is not prone to eating plants..vegetables included.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL. Only so much one can do when training a husband…or so my wife tells me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes..think you are good on the vegetables part.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a funky plant and you found just the right spot for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funkness in Florida..I am all for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay, that thing is . . . weird. It looks like something that grows in the garden at the Flintstone Residence in Bedrock.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! have you seen the Pencil Cactus?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes. I remember a few huge specimens in Watts. They were not popular for a long time, but now that ‘Sticks of Fire’ is available, they are increasingly popular. My colleague down south uses many in his landscapes.
LikeLike
I have these plants and I keep them on my patio. (I’m in east of Orlando Fl) my plants drop their nuts and they lay on top of the soil and they start growing a new baby plant from that nut, after about a week or so they shed the dried up nut shell and grow like the dickens! Lol
I just replanted all the babies and now have 11 more plants. My oldest one that produces the most nuts is 9 foot tall and is 8 years old. I wish I could share a pic on here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a very cool plant. I have never seen one that big.
LikeLike
Thanks for your information! I was wondering how to reproduce my coral plant from seed. So easy! I will put the nut on soil and see what happens. Love my coral shrub…a gift to me.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I told this is a nutmeg plant, is this true ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
no, in fact, it is very poisonous, don’t eat it.
LikeLike