NUTRIENT PROFILE AND BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF AN EXOTIC JATROPHA sp EATEN AS LEAF VEGETABLE IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The nutrient profile and botanical characteristics of an exotic Jatropha sp. that is assuming prominence as a leaf vegetable in Southwest Nigeria were studied. The plant is a small shrub and it is generally succulent like many of the native species of Jatropha. Its leaves are palmately lobed and the stems have prominent lenticels. Exudate from the plant causes severe itching on human skin. The inflorescences are unisexual. The female flowers have not been found to produce fruits, consequently propagation is mainly by stem cuttings. The floral formulas are K₍₅₎C₅A₀G₃ and K₍₅₎C₅A₅₊₍₅₎G₀.

The nutrient contents of the seven plants sampled across three locations showed variable trends. The dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE) and crude fibre (CF) of all the plants across the locations did not differ significantly while the crude protein (CP), ash, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K) and Calcium (G) contents differ significantly among the plants across the locations.