Warning
For all ingestions seek urgent medical assistance.
Description
An ornamental shrub to 2m high. This plant is naturalised in the northern half of Queensland. The small flowers are dark red with bright yellow centres.
The leaves are deeply three-lobed, with the leaf stalks covered in coarse, sticky, dark brown hairs.
The ripe fruit splits open to release two or three black seeds.
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms may be delayed an hour or longer, and include abdominal pain, a burning sensation in the throat, nausea, vomiting and profuse diarrhoea. Dehydration and bleeding from the gut may follow. Flushed skin, dilated pupils, dry skin and mouth and increased heart rate may occur.
Images
Details
Common name: Bellyache bush
Botanical name: Jatropha gossypiifolia
Other common names: Cotton-leaf physic nut
Family: Euphorbiaceae
General description: An ornamental shrub to 2m high. This plant is naturalised in the northern half of Queensland.
Flowers: The small flowers are dark red with bright yellow centres.
Leaves: The leaves are deeply three-lobed, with the leaf stalks covered in coarse, sticky, dark brown hairs.
Fruit/Berries: The ripe fruit splits open to release two or three black seeds.
Other: The sap may cause contact dermatitis and eye inflammation