Limber Bush
Sangre de Christo
Jatropha cardiophylla
Photographed in Vekol Valley, Sonoran Desert National Monument, Maricopa Co., Arizona. Aug 10, 2008.
SHRUB: A woody shrub rarely over 1½ meter
tall with longish, arching flexible branches. When cut or injured the twigs
exude irritating sap that dries blood-red.
LEAVES: Shiny, heart-shaped leaves with
crenulate margins. Leaf petioles are red and twigs show the same
attractive shade. This plant is drought and cold deciduous and so is leafless
through the winter and into the summer until the summer rains arrive.
RANGE: This plant is found in the southeastern quadrants of the Sonoran
Desert in Arizona (Tucson area) and more commonly in Sonora, Mexico. Its
biology is dependent on the summer rains which are less predictable towards the
north and west. Very rare north of Gila Bend / Casa Grande, Arizona.
FRUIT: Dry three-seeded capsule.
FLOWERS: Small yellow or cream colored flowers.
UNARMED. No thorns or spines, but sap can be irritating to some people.