Plants and mushrooms

Bellyache bush

Common name		Bellyache bush
Botanical name		Jatropha gossypifolia
Other common names		Cotton-leaf physic nut
Family		Euphorbiaceae
General description		An ornamental shrub to 2m high. This plant is naturalised in the northern half of Queensland.
Flowers		The small flowers are dark red with bright yellow centres.
Leaves		The leaves are deeply three-lobed, with the leaf stalks covered in coarse, sticky, dark brown hairs.
Fruit/Berries		The ripe fruit splits open to release two or three black seeds.
Other		The sap may cause contact dermatitis and eye inflammation
Symptoms		Symptoms may be delayed an hour or longer, and include abdominal pain, a burning sensation in the throat, nausea, vomiting and profuse diarrhoea. Dehydration and bleeding from the gut may follow. Flushed skin, dilated pupils, dry skin and mouth and increased heart rate may occur.
Toxicity category		2, 3
Warning		For all ingestions seek urgent medical assistance.