痲瘋樹屬落葉灌木，原產中美洲至南美洲北部。樹高40~80cm，主幹基部膨大呈壺狀或塊莖狀，分枝柔軟，有明顯葉痕。枝葉受傷會流出乳汁。互生心形葉，有淺裂，長、寬10~20cm。頂生紅色繖形花序，花紅色，花徑約0.5cm。開花期全年。

A deciduous shrub of the genus Jatropha, native to Central America and northern South America. 40 - 80 cm in height, swollen trunk base pot- or tuber-shaped. Branches are soft and bear apparent leaf marks. Latex secreted from the wounds on branches and leaves. Leaf alternate, heart-shaped, shallowly lobed, 10-20 cm long and wide. Apical umbel in red, flowers red and about 0.5 cm in diameter. Flowering year-round.

栽培：全日照通風環境下可生長良好，日照充足時可促進開花。適應性強，排水好的介質都可以栽培。葉片不太耐風，栽培位置應避風。乾燥與低溫會落葉，但仍能持續開花。低溫期可減少澆水。

The plant favors full sun and good ventilation. Sufficient sun exposure can promote flowering. It’s hardy and adaptable to all types of draining soil, however it can’t withstand strong wind, therefore, the planting site should be considered. It defoliates in dry or cold weathers, but continues to bloom. Reduce water use during low temperature period.

植株型態特殊，樹幹、葉片、花序都有觀賞價值。通常單株用盆缽栽培或可多株叢植於庭院排水良好之處。汁液有毒，在部份地區作為藥用。

The whole plant is ornamental - the shape, the trunk, the leaves, and inflorescence. Suitable for being planted alone in pots or in clusters in draining areas in courtyards. The sap is poisonous and used as medicine in some areas.