Bellyache bush (Jatropha dissecta [Syn: Jatropha gossipifolia])
Introduced as an ornamental plant probably
during British period* and now escaped and naturalized mainly in dry lowlands.
It is a native plant of Central and South America to Caribbean islands.
*A specimen available at Peradeniya herbarium collected from the gardens there in May 1887 by some unknown collector. [Flora of Sri Lanka Vol XI]
This species is spreading at Jaffna peninsula, Trincomalee, Muthur, Batti areas in Sri Lanka. The species is an invasive species.
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