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Photo is of parent taxon

leatherstem

Habit Plants to 1 m. Leaves: blade oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, 3.5–5(–7) × 0.3–0.7 cm, usually unlobed, sometimes deeply 3-lobed (in moister sites); secondary veins visible.
Flowers

sepals distinct;

petals pinkish white;

stamen filaments connate 3/4+ length.

Jatropha dioica var. dioica

Phenology Flowering and fruiting late spring–early summer.
Habitat Dry sandy or rocky soils.
Elevation 400-–2500 m. (1300-–8200 ft.)
Distribution
from FNA
TX; Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas)
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Variety dioica is widespread in eastern Mexico south to Zacatecas. R. McVaugh (1945b) reported the range as south to Oaxaca but most of the specimens annotated by him and others as this taxon are currently recognized as two related but morphologically distinct species (Jatropha elbae J. Jiménez Ramírez, and J. oaxacana J. Jiménez Ramírez & R. Torres). In Texas, it is found mainly south and east of the Pecos River.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 12, p. 205.
Parent taxa Euphorbiaceae > Jatropha > Jatropha dioica
Sibling taxa
J. dioica var. graminea
Synonyms J. dioica var. sessiflora
Name authority unknown
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