Jatropha integerrima – Peregrina – Ajaytao
Botanical name: Jatropha integerrima
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Jatropha
Species: integerrima
Common name: Peregrina, Fire-Cracker, Star of Bethlehem and Spicy Jatropha
Peregrina is native to the West Indies, and is especially well known from Cuba. It has escaped cultivation and become established in disturbed areas in extreme southern Florida.
The flower clusters of this Jatropha are a brilliant scarlet red, or sometimes pink in color. Each individual flower has star-shaped petals with small yellow flower parts. But there’s something unusual about this plant – the male and female flowers grow in separate bloom clusters, either at different times or on different parts of the same plant. It is strongly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, especially to monarchs, swallowtails and zebras.
Female flowers that are visited by bees or caterpillars produce a seed capsule that is filled with three smooth speckled seed. While all parts of this plant contain toxic substances, the rounded seed contain more of these poisons. I’d suggest that the small developing seed pods be trimmed off before they mature to reduce the chances that somebody or something would eat them. Please don’t plant it if there is a chance that it would be eaten by unsuspecting garden visitors.
Peregrina is an evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and clusters of star shaped bright scarlet or vermilion flowers. The plant has a rounded or narrow domed form and gets up to 15 ft (4.6 m) tall with a spread of 10 ft (3.1 m) or so, although in cultivation it is usually smaller. Peregrina often grows shrublike with several slender trunks, but it can be pruned to a single trunk. The leaves are extremely variable; they may be entire and elliptic or oval, or they may be fiddle shaped, or they may have three sharp pointed lobes. They are bronze when young and brownish on the undersides. The flowers are about 1 in (2.5 cm) across and borne in multi-flowered terminal clusters almost all year round. ‘Compacta’ is a smaller, more compact cultivar.
Culture
Peregrina is tolerant of a wide variety of soils so long as they are well drained. Peregrina blooms on the current year’s growth so it can be pruned at any time of the year. It handles pruning well and can be kept to shrub size, trained to a tree form or used in espalier.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Moisture: Peregrina is drought tolerant.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 10 – 11.
Peregrina is damaged by frost and is considered marginal in zones 9B and 10A.
Propagation: Propagate from cuttings taken in spring.
Peregrina is a spectacular shrub in bloom, which is most of the year. Use it as an accent or in a mixed shrub border. Peregrina is not salt tolerant, but it is tolerant of poor and dry soils. Peregrina makes a fine container plant on the patio or at poolside. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds as well as rave reviews from passersby.
Jatropha is a very diverse genus which includes cactus like succulents, herbaceous perennials, and woody trees. They are all united in the same genus because their very similar flower structures suggest a relatively recent common ancestor. Coral plant (J. multifida) is a close relative that is also showy and
Warning
Like many of the euphorbs, Jatropha contains a milky sap that can irritate sensitive skin. All parts of the plant are reported to be poisonous if ingested.
Ajaytao Photography
Gorgeous and informative..thanks for sharing!
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May 4, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Yes dear brother that is the purpose of this blog my images and all the relevant information
thank you dear brother 🙂
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May 4, 2014 at 10:30 pm
Hi Wendell !
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May 5, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Oh okay dear
thanks
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May 5, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Amazing picture, amazing nature! Thanks for sharing. Kind regards. FGM
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May 4, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Thank you so much dear sir 🙂
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May 4, 2014 at 11:16 pm
Awesome and quite informative.. Love the new blog! Nice look and feel:)
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May 5, 2014 at 9:25 am
Thank you so much sir 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 9:38 am
Learning something new everyday! Thanks!
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May 5, 2014 at 10:07 am
Thank you so much dear sir 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 10:08 am
My pleasure!
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May 5, 2014 at 10:09 am
🙂 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 10:09 am
This blogs aim is educating a new gardener:)
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May 5, 2014 at 10:10 am
WONDERFUL!
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May 5, 2014 at 10:21 am
Thank you so much sir
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May 5, 2014 at 10:24 am
very elegant flora photography.
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May 5, 2014 at 10:49 am
thank you dear 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 10:51 am
Hello!
This is splendid ! 🙂
I accept your invitation with pleasure visit your new blog!
Every visit to your lordship on my blog
I will return the visit!! 🙂 🙂
I wish you health and success wholeheartedly the new blog!
Sincerely and respectfully,
Alyosha.
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May 5, 2014 at 11:24 am
Thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 11:25 am
And I am so blessed to have a friend like you! 🙂
I love flowers and your reign blog is full of flowers! 🙂 🙂
I wish you all the best!
Alyosha.
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May 5, 2014 at 12:19 pm
Thanks 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 12:23 pm
the colour is amazing.
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May 5, 2014 at 11:32 am
thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 4:09 pm
a very wonderful blog you have created here…. keep it up !
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May 5, 2014 at 12:57 pm
thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Beautiful images, great narrative. Excellent work : following
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May 5, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Thank you so much dear Mr Bennett 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Reblogged this on whisperingleavesblog and commented:
Please visit Ajay’s new blog a treat to for eyes and your soul!
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May 5, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Oh thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 11:54 pm
Really beautiful! 🙂
Lots of love ❤
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May 5, 2014 at 1:50 pm
Oh thanks dear 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 1:54 pm
What a beautiful picture! 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 4:20 pm
Thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Milky white sap really does harm to eyes too.
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May 5, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Oh okay dear thanks 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 5:04 pm
I love this new blog, Ajay. The images are stunning – they reach out to the viewer. Plus, the information to go along with it… Good luck in this new part of your journey.
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May 5, 2014 at 6:41 pm
Thank you so much dear
your comments are like blessings 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 11:53 pm
A beautiful blog, so much great photos! Love it!
My B&W Blog: http://hanshb.wordpress.com/
and: http://hanshb.wordpress.com/2014/
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May 5, 2014 at 8:38 pm
thank you so much dear sir 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 11:29 pm
Love the new approach…very informative. 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 8:42 pm
thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 11:28 pm
You’re most welcome…take care. 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 1:51 am
🙂 🙂 Glad you put the like button again
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May 7, 2014 at 7:50 am
Thanks AJ 🙂
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May 8, 2014 at 2:05 am
Thank you so much dear Kev 🙂
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May 8, 2014 at 8:22 am
Dear Ajay your new blog is a stunning exposure to the colors of nature! Salutes 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 9:36 pm
thank you so much 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 11:24 pm
This blog is wonderful. Thank you my friend.
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May 5, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 5, 2014 at 11:19 pm
I am here other time…, my friend.
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May 11, 2014 at 11:12 am
thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 11, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Your new blog is very interesting, thanks.
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May 11, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Oh dear thank you so much its aim is to educate the gardener and help him in many ways 🙂
thanks
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May 11, 2014 at 7:34 pm
You are a gentle and amazing parnert.
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May 11, 2014 at 7:39 pm
thank you dear 🙂
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May 11, 2014 at 7:42 pm
:))
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May 11, 2014 at 8:50 pm
🙂 🙂
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May 11, 2014 at 9:57 pm
Congratulations! Very beautiful blog. Lovely pictures. Great information! Thanks very much Ajaytao.
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May 6, 2014 at 12:13 am
Thank you so much dear Julie 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 12:25 am
😀
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May 6, 2014 at 12:35 am
Thank you dear 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 12:36 am
Reblogged this on osarobohenry and commented:
Ajayi has opened a new blog. Visit and you will be bless because you will see the glory of God in His creation in the name of Jesus Christ.
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May 6, 2014 at 7:45 am
Thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 8:26 am
Wunderschön liebe Grüße.Gislinde
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May 6, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Thank you so much dear Gislinde 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 2:32 pm
I just Love that colour… 🙂 wonderful photos.. xx
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May 6, 2014 at 5:44 pm
Thank you 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 5:48 pm
Lovely…. But I think I’ll pass on nibbling those! *(purrs)* ♥
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May 6, 2014 at 10:44 pm
oh yes you can dear 🙂
Thank you 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 7:55 am
*(purrs)*♥
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May 8, 2014 at 7:28 am
Thank you dear 🙂
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May 8, 2014 at 8:14 am
You’re welcome, furiend!!! *[super trills]*
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May 9, 2014 at 3:32 am
Thank you dear 🙂 🙂 🙂
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May 9, 2014 at 8:46 am
*[trills]*
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May 10, 2014 at 11:39 am
* (Purrs) *
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May 10, 2014 at 4:03 pm
🙂
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May 11, 2014 at 5:24 am
🙂
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May 11, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Purrs / trills 🙂
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May 12, 2014 at 9:43 am
🙂 🙂 🙂
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May 12, 2014 at 10:14 am
I love all of these. The colors are beautiful and the black design of this blog really sets them off. Superb!
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May 12, 2014 at 5:25 am
oh so lovely of you dear 🙂
thank you 🙂
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May 12, 2014 at 10:11 am
What a beautful flower! And interesting to read about. Thank you!
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May 12, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Oh thank you so much dear Lexa 🙂
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May 12, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Reblogged this on Ajaytao 2010 and commented:
Jatropha integerrima – Peregrina – Ajaytao
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May 17, 2014 at 9:22 am
Dear Ajay as always my friend so lovely
happy weekend
Sherri
huggs….oh thank you so much for all your likes your just the bestest…smiles
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May 17, 2014 at 10:12 am
thank you dear 🙂
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May 17, 2014 at 1:10 pm
This is an extraordinary shrub. Its delicate beauty holds deadly intent if all of the plant is so highly toxic. What a creational contradiction to have such awe inspiring beauty holding death for its careless admires.
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July 20, 2014 at 8:57 am
yes indeed dear very true Creational contradiction
thank you so much dear 🙂
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July 20, 2014 at 6:18 pm