POISONOUS AND INJURIOUS PLANTS Bh 
branched flower clusters in the leaf axils; each cluster contains several 
to many flowers. The pods, which vary from 14 to 1% inch in length, 
are strongly curved, with the outer end pointing upwards. They 
are only about 1% inch thick, contain 4 to 8 small black seeds, and are 
hairy when young but become smooth with age. The seeds are 
separated from one another in the pods. The appearance of the 
curved pods makes the plants easily distinguished from other indigo 
species. 
ae Sprrecies.—Trailing indigo, /ndigofera endecaphylla Jacq., 
a closely related form, has been reported to be toxic (8, 33,37). Trail- 
ing indigo does not occur naturally in the Virgin Islands although it 
has been grown there and in many other tropical areas. Its use as 
a forage crop is discouraged because of its toxicity. 
DistRIBUTION AND Hasirat—This shrub is common throughout 
the Virgin Islands. It occurs most frequently in mixed stands of 
thickets around the periphery of wooded areas in the higher rainfall 
belts. It is found along roadbanks and in fence rows. The plants 
occasionally occur in pastures, cultivated fields, and waste grounds. 
They thrive equally well in full sun and partial shade, and on almost 
all soil types. Plants growing in the drier regions are usually smaller. 
Toxiciry anp Symproms.—Results of chick-feeding trials show the 
stems of indigo to be toxic. To the knowledge of the authors no cases 
of poisoning from this plant have occurred in the Virgin Islands, but 
it is considered potentially harmful to livestock. 
MANAGEMENT AND Controut.—This shrub is commonly found in 
areas that are accessible to livestock. Livestock have not been ob- 
served browsing on this legume, although it is apparently sampled by 
deer. Its unpalatability to livestock enhances its ability to survive 
and compete with more desirable forage plants. Small numbers of 
plants can be easily grubbed out. The plants are easily killed by 
applications of either 2.4-D or 2,4,5-T, or both, and these should be 
used where the infested area is large. 
Euphorbiaceae, or Spurge, Family 
Jatropha curcas L. (fig. 30) 
Physicnut 
Description.—This branching shrub, or small tree, is usually 12 
to 20 feet high; the entire plant is smooth throughout. The bark on 
young twigs is smooth and light green, but turns gray with age. The 
alternate, heart-shaped leaves, borne on 1- to 3-inch leaf stems, have 
3 to 5 roundish lobes and are 2 to 4 inches across. The small flowers 
are borne on short stems in clusters of 4 to 7 at the ends of the branches. 
Each flower is surrounded by 5 green, leaflike structures about half 
the length of the petals. The 5 yellow petals are united to above their 
middle and have long soft hairs on the inner surface near their base. 
The fruits are shallowly lobed, slightly fleshy, and 1 to 114 inches 
long. The fruits are composed of 3 sections, each containing 1 seed. 
They are green and smooth when young, and turn yellow and become 
almost black at maturity when they split open to reveal 3 shiny, black, 
oval seeds about 14 inch long. Reproduction is by cuttings or seeds, 
usually the latter. 
