PlantFiles: Physic Nut, Barbados Nut, Purging Nut, Jatropha
Jatropha curcas

Be very cautious about human (or animal) consumption as it is very poisionous. If it becomes popular as a source for bio-diesel production, the market may expand for this seed, but the downside may be more accidental poisionings.

Interesting plant. I like it, but I like all of the other jatrophas, too. This one grows easily from seed and sets seed every time it blooms [the butterflies love it and probably pollinate it].

I have mixed emotions about this plant. There are two main types. One is poisonous, while the other is edible. Both look alike and I believe they share the same botanical name. The leaves are the same shape as a Japanese Maple, but much larger. The similarity of the two toxic/nontoxic plants is dangerous in that one might have a non poisonous type and have enjoyed the "Florida Pistachio" nuts for years. When that person encounters the poisonous type, thinking "it's just like mine", if eaten, is deadly. One chemical agent of the plant is called Jatrophine, which shows some anti-cancerous properties. The other, toxalbumin curcin, is the main toxic substance in this plant which can kill you. This plant is used for the manufacture of organic diesel fuel, insecticides, anti fungal agents and soaps. If you must make your own insecticide/fungicide with this plant, be careful of the nuts. First, dry the nuts completely. Second, crush the nuts to a fine powder. Third, soak nut powder in petroleum ether (wherever that can be found), until the ether is evaporated. The residue is your insecticide. Use it sparingly. About 1 Tbsp/Gal. Maybe less.
This plant is easy to grow. Plant in full sun. It will lose it's leaves for almost six months. This is normal. Mine was about 2ft when I planted it. In it's second year it has grown to about 15 ft. This plant is also similar in growth to a papaya. In fact, from a distance that's just what it looks like. Jatropha propagates from "suckers" and seeds, probably cuttings, too. Overall, it is not an unpleasant sight in the yard, but I cannot stress enough the dangers of this plant. If you have children who like to wontonly put things in their mouths, or if there are such children in your neighborhood, you should think twice about getting one. I don't know if this plant is attractive to animals or not.