6-7) most elements are available to but as pH Soluble forms of minor elements are used as foliar sprays increases phosphorus becomes fixed in calcium compounds to give rapid, though temporary, correction of problems. A and iron and manganese may precipitate or be changed to a better approach is preventing deficiencies with a regular form in which plant roots cannot use them. Although readily program of soil applications and foliar feeding that includes available above pH 7 magnesium deficiency is very wide minor elements. spread because the heavy rains of south Florida leach this The list that follows (Table 1) includes native to element (2). south Florida soils (3) and exotic that tolerate high Iron and manganese deficiency symptoms are similar in pH and the associated micronutrient levels. All will benefit most plants. Young are affected first and show a from a regular fertilization program but were chosen be chlorosis that begins between the veins and may spread to cause they do not need heavy supplements of minor ele include the whole . New growth may be smaller than ments or other special care and are reliable plants for the normal and in very severe cases may be stunted and dis landscape. A number of commonly grown species are ex torted, show dead areas, or may die completely. Palms are cluded because their nutritional needs to stay in perfect very susceptible to manganese deficiency: young leaves show health go beyond standard fertilizers with nitrogen, phos chlorosis together with stunting and distortion giving rise phorus and potassium. Many gardeners will be willing to to the name "frizzle top" (5). take on the additional micronutrient feeding needed in Magnesium deficiency also causes a chlorosis that begins order to enjoy them in their gardens. Local botanical gar at the leaf margins and extends between the veins, but in dens, such as Fairchild Tropical Garden or Flamingo Gar the case of this element old leaves are affected first. Some die- dens, are good places in which to see the wide range of back of leaf margins may occur but more often the leaves plants that will thrive with extra care and attention. The drop before there is much sign of necrosis. names used in the lists are from the "Checklist of Woody Gardening in areas of high pH can be a continuing Ornamental Plants in Florida." (1). battle against plant deficiencies. Soil treatment around af fected plants may be aimed at changing the pH to a more Literature Cited acid level or at supplying more of the deficient nutrient. Powdered sulfur has been effective in lowering pH in some 1. Burch, D., D. W. Hall and D. B. Ward. 1983. Checklist of Woody Ornamental Plants in Florida. Univ. Florida, Inst. Food Agr. Sci. cases, atrates of up to 1 lb. per 100 ft2, but a better long (in press). term approach is to mulch with organic materials that are 2. Dickey, R. D. 1977. Nutritional deficiencies of woody ornamental gradually incorporated into the soil in the natural course of plants used in Florida landscapes. Univ. Florida, Inst. Food Agri. composting. Sci. Bui. 791. 3. Gann, J. 1979. Selected list of south Florida native plants. Bui. Iron sulfate may be used as a soil amendment but is Fairchild Tropical Garden 34(2):20-22. quickly made unavailable and better results are obtained 4. Janick, J. 1972. Horticultural Science, 2nd ed. W. H. Freeman & Co. from chela ted forms of iron such as Versinol® or Seques- San Francisco. 586 pp. trene®. Sequestrene® 300 works well on the sandy soils but 5. Marlatt, R. B. 1980. Noncontagious diseases of tropical foliage plants. Univ. Florida, Inst. Food Agr. Sci. Bui. 812. the more expensive Sequestrene® 138 may be needed on 6. Smith, F. B., R. G. Leighty, R. E. Caldwell, V. W. Carlisle, L. G. marl. Chelatesor fritted forms of manganese are also avail Thompson Jr., and T. G. Mathews. 1967. Principal soil areas of able for soil application. Magnesium may be applied to the Florida. Univ. Florida, Inst. Food Agr. Sci. Bui. 717. soil as Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) or as dolomitic limestone even though this is adding more calcium (2).

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 95:277-280. 1982.

NOVEL JATROPHAS FOR FLORIDA LANDSCAPES

Bijan Dehgan tionally deprived sandy soils of Florida. Examples of lesser University of Florida, IFAS, known species and artificial hybrids are discussed. Department of Ornamental , Gainesville, FL 32611 L. is a large of diverse growth forms and attractive monoecious or dioecious plants. The 150-175 spe Abstract. Jatropha L.is a morphologically diverse genus cies are woody , and subshrubs of disjunct dis of widespread geographical distribution in the seasonally dry tribution in the seasonally dry tropics of the Old and the tropics. The 150-175 species of the genus are found in Africa, New World. Two distinct groups were recently recognized India, and South and Central America extending through (6); subgenus Jatropha includes the African, Indian, South to southern and . Two species used in American, Antillian and two of the relict north American south Florida landscapes; J. integerrima Jacq. ( = J. hastata taxa, while species of subgenus Curcas (Adans.) Pax are Jacq.) and J. multifida L. are indigenous to Cuba and prob predominantly Mexican, a few extending into Texas and ably Barbados, respectively. A third species seen occasionally Arizona. Of these, /. integerrima Jacq. ( = /. hastata Jacq.) (J. podagricaHook.) is probably native to south Central has been cultivatedin Florida for many years. Two other America. Although the majority of the species are potentially species; /. multifida L. (the coral plant) and /. gossypiifolia most useful for south Florida, there are some that can be (the bellyache bush) are not only in cultivation as orna grown in north and central regions ofthe State. Jatrophas mentals but are reported (14) to have naturalized in parts are low maintenance plants that should do well in nutri- of Florida Keys. These 3 species, in addition to /. podagrica Hook., which is seen in cultivation occasionally, are mem Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series No. 4238. bers of subgenus Jatropha. L. (the physic

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 95: 1982. 277 nut), is also cultivated in Florida (10). This species, a as "iVIata Muchachos" in or "jiotillo" in Sinloa, with nocturnally fragrant yellowish green , has been it has been used for medicinal purposes. placed in subgenus Curcas. Jatropha curcas L., much cultivated in the tropics. Its In a genus of such diversity as Jatropha, there remains a exact origin is unknown, though possibly Mexico (8, 15). A fair percentage of choice species awaiting horticultural dis small tree with stout branches and roundish, angular to covery. Unfortunately, many nurserymen and plant lovers shallowly 3-5 lobed, 10-15 cm wide glabrous leaves. Green have shied away from cultivation of this genus because ish-yellow flowers are borne in contracted, many-flowered species with painful stinging hairs were classi corymbose cymes. This plant is frequently used as a hedge fied (11) as Jatropha. Hortus Third (1), the most widely in the tropics because the cuttings quickly and the used manual for cultivated plants still recognizes Cnidos plant is not eaten by livestock. Commonly known as "physic colus as a part of Jatropha, despite the fact that these taxa nut" due to its medicinal properties particularly as a purga are but distantly related (6, 7, 9). In addition to stinging tive. Although reported to be poisonous, the are quite hairs, Cnidoscolus differs from Jatropha by its white, palatable when roasted. (An interesting account of uses of apetalous flowers and milky latex, which imply a closer this species can be found in Standley, 13). affinity with than Jatropha. Jatropha hieronymii O. Ktze. from . This spe Jatrophas are potentially useful but underexploited cies has thick branches and lobed, somewhat gray colored, specimen plants for subtropical and tropical landscapes, dentate leaves and large yellow flowers on compact short whose diversity allows adaptation to many landscape situa cymes. The unusual color of the flowers give a unique char tions. Unintroduced artificial interspecific hybrids have acteristic to this plant. Probably useful as a specimen or con broadened the range of possibilities by providing inter tainer plant. Closely related to /. podagrica and /. augustii. mediate colors, forms and textures. Nearly all jatrophas seem Jatropha mcvaughii Dehgan & Webster,, from Mexico. capable of withstanding the poorest of growing conditions, Originally described as /. curcas var. rufus McVaugh how although a few of the xeric or succulent species may suffer ever, considered distinct (5) because of its much larger and from excess moisture in poorly drained soils. Once estab densely pubescent foliage and dioecious . This is a lished in the Florida landscape, the species and hybrids more attractive plant than /. curcas for landscaping and will herein described should require little supplementary irriga not become weedy if only male or female plants are used. tion and fertilization. Nearly all can be easily propagated L. Origin uncertain but probably in from cuttings or by which may be obtained by selfing digenous to Barbados; with stout branches and nearly of the monoecious species (except /. moranii Dehgan 8c orbicular, deeply 7-11 lobed (divided) leaves and thread Webster which does not self) or crossing of the dioecious like stipules. Flowers are brilliant scarlet, on long stalked taxa. Caudex-forming species, however, will not produce . A very attractive and widely cultivated spe their unique, swollen stems when vegetatively propagated, cies throughout the tropics and is commonly known as coral and must be grown from seed if the caudex is a desirable plant or French physic nut. All parts of this plant, but par trait. Pests and diseases are rarely a problem, although red ticularly the seeds, are reported to have strong purgative spider (two spotted mite) infestation may occur under properties. The foliage smells like insect repellent and in greenhouse conditions, particularly on the Mexican species. deed I have never seen this plant attacked by insects, al Leaf miner is also apparently a problem on /. integerrima though D. Burch (personal communication) reports oc in S.W. Florida (D. Burch, personal communication). Many casional attacks by mites. of the Mexican taxa, frequently found in nature growing Jatropha platyphylla Muell. Arg. from Mexico. The near beaches and on sand dunes, are salt-tolerant. thick succulent branches, the very large (25-35 cm) peltate The following list enumerates a partial roster of species glabrous leaves on long petioles, and the white urceolate that may offer landscape potential for Florida. At least 2 of flowers which are held on long and much branched in the species have proven cold hardy in the Gainesville area florescences are quite distinct from all other Jatrophas. but the majority can only be grown successfully outdoors in Locally known as "sangregrado", it is sometimes cultivated south and many in central Florida. Species currently in as a hedge plant, though perhaps would be well utilized as cultivation are also included for comparative purposes. a specimen plant.

Small Trees to Large Shrubs Shrubs and Subshrubs The majority of jatrophas fit into this group. Most Jatropha augustii Pax & Hoffm., from Peru. A stout plant species, particularly the northeast African taxa are small, with much thickened branches, and large peltate, glabrous, succulent, more or less xerophytic plants with a well-devel lobed leaves with dentate-glandular margins. Flowers are oped caudex, thus primarily useful as rock garden or small orange-red on large inflorescences. The plant shows much of container plants in drier areas. Several species including /. the characteristics of J. podagrica to which it is closely re integerrima, however, can be used for various landscape lated, being semi-evergreen and flowering throughout the situations in Florida. year. It should prove particularly useful as an accent or Jatropha capensis (L.f.) Sond. from S. Africa. Medium container plant. The Quechua name "Huanarpomachu" to 5 ft, leaves lanceolate and often hastately lobed. refers to its reputed aphrodisiac properties. Flowers green on short dense cymes. Although this species Jatropha ciliata Sesse, pom Mexico. A very attractive does not have showy flowers, it is useful for foundation small tree with relatively large (7-10 cm), glabrous, 3-5 lobed plantings. It is one of the few relatively cold hardy jatrophas leaves with glandular margins, producing white flowers in that can be grown as far north as Gainesville. the spring after the leaves appear. Jatropha cardiophylla (Torr.) Muell. Arg., from Mexico Jatropha cordata (Ortega) Muell. Arg., from Mexico. A to Arizona. Low growing deciduous rhizomatous shrub with small tree with thickened trunk and peeling bark, and ouate- red branches and glabrous leaves 3-5 cm long and wide. cordate leaves which are usually unlobed and densely beset Flowers pink, small and attractive in the male plant, some with stalked glands. The small, whitish-pink flowers are what less so in the females. This plant is uniquely attractive much like those of /. ciliata to which it is closely related. It both in and out of leaf. It has a tendency to spread by is suitable as a container or specimen plant. Locally known , although it is not likely to cause serious problems.

278 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 95: 1982. Locally known as "Toroto", the roots are used lor tanning. are used as a purgative in Mexico. It is cold hardy as far north as Gainesville. Only male plants Jatropha moranii Dehgan and Webster from Baja Cali should be used. fornia. A much branched subshrub with a distinct woody Teran & Berl. from Mexico and caudex, fissured bark and ovate 5-lobed, glabrous, glandular Texas. Perennial herb from an enlarged tuber-like woody leaves. The white and very attractive flowers are produced underground caudex; leaves palmately and very deeply profusely during much of the year. Perhaps one of the most lobed; an open cyme with bright reel flowers. attractive species of Jatropha, it may be used as a small When cultivated, 3/4 of the caudex should be placed above specimen plant or in group plantings. the soil level to avoid rotting. Useful in rock gardens or as Hook. Origin uncertain but prob potted specimen plants. Once dormant, it should not be ir ably native to Panama, Honduras and Guatemala. Erect rigated until spring when new growth begins. This species subshrubs with a caudex and succulent branches. Leaves is improperly known as /. berlandieri Torr. large, orbicular, peltate, 3 to 5-lobed and few at the tips of Jatropha cinerea (Ortega) Muell. Arg. from, Mexico ex branches. Dense cymes of bright red flowers produced con tending into southern Arizona. A group of woody shrubs tinuously throughout the year. Despite its attractive leaves, which actually constitute a natural hybrid complex includ flowers and growth habit, this plant is infrequent in cultiva ing /. cinerea (sensu stricto), J. canescens (Benth.) Muell. tion. It may be used in rock gardens, borders, and contain Arg. and possibly /. giffordiana Dehgan and Webster. These ers, but perhaps most attractively as a pot plant which range from succulent subshrubs to large shrubs exceeding should be kept somewhat dry the first year to develop the 10 ft. Leaves are variable and range from small and entire caudex. If fertilized and irrigated in subsequent years it to very large and lobed. Insignificant flowers vary in color forms luxuriant growth. Due to its explosive some from white to red. These plants primarily occur on or near tendency to weediness has been observed. This plant is coastal areas and are thus most useful for seaside plantings. known as "Panzon" in Nicaragua, and is used for treating Their tendency to become weedy may be overcome by selec malaria. It is also referred to as "Ruibarbo" and is said to tion of male, vegetatively propagated plants. Locally known have been used medicinally in Europe. as "lomboi" or "torotito", the raw juice is applied to sores and employed in treating chills. Artificial Hybrids Jatropha cuneata Wiggins & Rollins from Mexico to southern Arizona. An intricately branched shrub with dis In a genus as large and as diverse as Jalropha taxonomic tinctive yellow twigs, numerous short and very small relationships are often a matter of controversy and debate. leaves. Flowers are white, tubular and inconspicuous. This To this end, establishment of affinities has been undertaken is a particularly interesting plant because it grows like a through morphological (6), anatomical (2, 3, 4), and hy natural bonsai. Often found in coastal areas, thus probably bridization studies (12 and unpublished data). A further salt tolerant. Best used as a container plant or as a specimen outcome of crossing trials is production of Fx hybrids that in coastal areas. are superior in many respects to the parental species, not Sesse from Mexico to southern Texas. only in vigor but in landscape characteristics. The selected Rhizomatous succulent subshrubs with sparingly branched hybrids discussed below, once introduced to the commercial stems that are bright red turning brown with age. Leaves trade, will prove useful in many landscape situations. It are small, simple and sometimes 3-lobed. Flowers urceolate, should be emphasized that no field data are available for pinkish-red in the male and white in the female. Due to its any of the taxa and the following remarks are based on clear turning bright red upon exposure to air, it is observations of plants under greenhouse conditions. These locally known as "Sangre de Drago" (Dragon's blood). Tea hybrids can be easily propagated by cuttings. is used to tighten teeth and invigorate hair. Jatropha curcas x integerrima. This a vigorous hybrid L. Widespread throughout world with characters intermediate to its parents. It is a large tropics but probably originated in S. America. Sparingly multibranched shrub with entire to shallowly lobed light branched subshrub with lobed leaves that are bright red green leaves and pink flowers borne in relatively compact when young, and deep purple flowers. Jatropha gossypiifolia inflorescences. The plant is superior to either parents in var. elegans (Pohl.) Muell. Arg. which is cultivated in Flor habit and foliage and will prove useful where a coarse ida has orange to red leaves and orange flowers. This plant textured plant is needed. Two advantageous features that commonly called "belly-ache bush", has strong purgative this hybrid has acquired from /. integerrima, are its ever properties and has been used for medicinal purposes. green growth habit and continuous year round flowering. Jacq. A complex of natural hybrids Although fruit is produced, the seeds for the most part are from Cuba, involving /. tupi folia Griseb. and perhaps other sterile, thus eliminating any tendency toward weediness. taxa. Jatropha integerrima var. hastata (Jacq.) Fosb. has Jatrophascapensis x integerrima. This intermediate hy recently been described for individuals with markedly brid is a multibranched medium sized shrub with pink hastate leaves. The true /. integerrima has entire, only flowers. Branching is more abundant than in /. curcas x slightly hastate leaves and large red flowers in a loose cyme. integerrima and with smaller evergree lobed leaves forms a Jatropha tupi folia has distinctly 3-lobed leaves and numer plant of less coarse texture that also flowers continuously. ous smaller flowers which are borne in a compact cyme. In Because/, capensis is a cold hardy species, the range of cul general, plants cultivated in Florida show a great deal of tivation of this hybrid may be extended to central Florida variability with regard to leaf shape and color. and perhaps farther north. Jatropha macrorhiza Benth. from northern Mexico and Jatropha curcas x capensis. The large glabrous, shallowly southwestern U.S. A perennial herb with enlarged tuber- 3-5 lobed leaves of this hybrid in combination with its dense like woody subterranean caudex, from which branched and branching make this plant a most suitable candidate for spreading stems are produced in spring and summer. Leaves hedge plantings. It too is a constant bloomer, although the are palmately 5 to 7-lobed. The large pink flowers form an greenish-yellow flowers on very compact inflorescenses are open cymose inflorescence. This very attractive plant can not its chief merit. easily be grown from seed and is best used as a container Jatropha macrorhiza x integerrima. The hybridization of plant or in groups in the garden. The upper portion of the a geophyte and a large shrub has produced a most interest caudex should be above ground to avoid rotting. The seeds ing progeny. The plants have a caudex and long, thin,

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 95: 1982. 279 prostrate branches. The flowers are larger than the true /. of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium). 1976. Hortus Third: A integerrima and are magenta colored. Leaves are light green Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the and Canada. MacMillan Publ. Co., Inc. New York. and lobed. This is probably a useful plant for raised planters 2. Dehgan, B. 1980. Application of epidermal morphology to tax- where the long profusely flowering branches can hang down. onomic delimitations in the genus Jatropha L. (). Jatropha curcas x macrorhiza. Another interesting hy Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 80:257-278. brid between a tree (/. curcas) and a geophyte (/. macro 3. Dehgan, B. 1982. Comparative anatomy of the and infra- rhiza). The plant is a stiff, upright subshrub with a large generic relationships in Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae). Amer. T. Bot. 69:1283-1295. caudex and many branches. Leaves are light green, large 4. Dehgan, B. and M. E. Craig. 19T8. Types of laticifers and crystals and deeply lobed. Flowers are white and many per cyme. in Jatropha and their taxonomic implications. Amer. T. Bot. 65: This plant is probably useful as a container plant or in rock 345-352. gardens. 5. Dehgan, B. and G. L. Webster. 1978. Three new species of Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae) from Western Mexico. Madrono 25:30-39. Jatropha macrorhiza x moranii. A small and upright 6. Dehgan, B. and G. L. Webster. 1979. Morphology and infrageneric multibranched plant with white flowers striped pink. Leaves relationships of the genus Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae). Univ. Cali are deeply lobed and dark green. It can be used as a natural fornia Publ. Bot. 74:1-73. bonsai with proper pruning, otherwise it is useful in group 7. McVaugh, R. 1944. The genus Cnidoscolus: generic limits and inter- generic groups. Bui. Torrey Bot. Club. 71:457-474. plantings or containers. 8. McVaugh, R. 1945. The genus Jatropha in America: principal Jatropha curcas x cordata. As both parents are small intergeneric groups. Bui. Torrey Bot. Club. 72:271-294. trees, the F2 hybrid is of similar habit. The large, cordate, 9. Miller, K. I. and G. L. Webster. 1962. Systematic position of glandular, dark green leaves and bright red, tubular flowers Cnidoscolus and Jatropha. Brittonia 14:174-180. 10. Morton, J. F. 1971. Plants Poisonous to People in Florida and make for a very attractive plant. Due to the dioecious char Other Warm Areas. Hurricane House, Miami, FL. acter of /. cordata, only male progeny have resulted from 11. Pax, F. 1910. Euphorbiaceae-. p. 1-148. In: A. Engler this cross. (ed.) Das Pflanzenreich IV. 147 (Heft 42). Verlag von Wilhelm Several additional interesting hybrids have been ob Engleman, Leipzig. 12. Rupert, E. A., B. Dehgan, and G. L. Webster. 1970. Experimental tained and there exist many other species with horticultural studies of relationships in the genus Jatropha. I. /. curcas x inte potential as well. As these taxa become available, future gerrima. Bui. Torrey Bot. Club. 97:321-325. discussion can be devoted to their description and eventual 13. Standley, P. C. 1923. Trees and Shrubs of Mexico. (Oxalidaceae- introduction. Turneraceae). Contrib. U. S. Nat. 23:517-848. 14. Webster, G. L. 1967. The genera of the Euphorbiaceae in the southeastern United States. J. Arnold Arboretum 48:303-430. Literature Cited 15. Wilbur, R. L. 1954. A synopsis of Jatropha, subsection Eucurcas, with the description of two new species from Mexico. J. Elisha 1. Bailey, L. H. and E. Z. Bailey (Revised and expanded by the Staff Mitchell Sci. Soc. 70:92-101.

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 95:280-281. 1982.

EVALUATION OF CUCUMBERLEAF SUNFLOWER, HELIANTHUS DEBILIS NUTT. FOR BEAUTIFICATION AND EROSION CONTROL ON COASTAL AREAS R. M. Craig and D. C. Smith the other races. The subspecies was named Helianthus Soil Conservation Service, debilis subsp. debilis and is described as an annual or per P. O. Box 1208, ennial, prostrate, stem and branches subglabrous to densely Gainesville, FL 32602 hispid, yellow rays and red-purple disk flowers and occurring on sandy beaches from St. Johns to Dade Counties, Florida. Abstract. The United States Department of Agriculture, This paper considers only the subspecies debilis described Soil Conservation Service studies of plants occurring on by Heiser. coastal dunes in Florida indicated that cucumberleaf sun In the early 1970's the United States Department of flower, Helianthus debilis Nutt. has potential for use in dune Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service in Florida became stabilization work. From 1976 through 1982, 7,000 potted interested in cucumberlead sunflower. This was because of plants were planted at 36 coastal locations throughout Flor field studies by Craig (1, 2, 3) to determine the native plants ida. Results show that this plant can be used for coastal dune that have a high potential for use in dune stabilization work. stabilization south of Duval County Florida along the Atlantic Cucumberleaf sunflower occurred extensively on coastal Coast and south of Pasco County Florida along the Gulf dunes south of Dade County, Florida along the Atlantic coast. Additional studies are ongoing to develop a superior Ocean and very occasionally south of Pasco County, Florida variety from a field collection of 34 accessions. along the Gulf of Mexico. It was a dominant plant on 80% of the sites studied along the southeast Florida coast and 7% Cucumberleaf sunflower, Helianthus debilis Nutt. is of the sites studied along the southwest Florida coast. It described by Rickett (5) as a 2 to 7 ft tall spreads rapidly to form low, dense mats and is one of the with nearly triangular, irregularly toothed leaf blades on most beautiful coastal plants. Consequently, it was decided long stalks; yellow rays and brown, red or purplish disk to study this plant at the Soil Conservation Service, Plant flowers; and occurring mostly near the coast from Florida to Materials Center near Brooksville, Florida. Texas and South Carolina. A variety of subspecies is also mentioned with branches that tend to sprawl over the Materials and Methods ground. Heiser's (4) study of cucumberleaf sunflower rec ognizes 9 morphological races. The greatest morphological The initial effort was to make a collection of 10 acces difference was between an Atlantic Coast race in Florida and sions that appeared superior on natural sites. Detailed

280 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 95: 1982.