Jatropha nudicaulis
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jatropha_nudicaulis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Jatropha nudicaulis faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in the Caribbean. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its native dry forest habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the delicate moisture balance required for this drought-adapted species.
Habitat
Jatropha nudicaulis inhabits dry forests and scrublands in the Caribbean, typically growing in well-drained soils on limestone substrates. The species is adapted to arid conditions and is often found in coastal areas and low-elevation dry zones where it can tolerate periodic drought.