Jatropha dioica Leather Stem Big Bend Succulent Cold Hardy

Jatropha dioica is a typical resident of dry, gravelly ridges in the Chihuahuan Desert from New Mexico and western Texas south into Mexico. Called Leatherstem or sometimes Witch's Fingers. This is another plant that's leafless from mid-fall to mid-spring, but is in full leaf all spring. It has clusters of small white flowers in the spring. Because Jatropha dioica is dormant in the winter, it can handle temperatures well below freezing.