Jatropha chamelensis is a species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is a tree that grows primarily in seasonally dry tropical biomes.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is endemic to Mexico, restricted to a small region on the Pacific coast. Its native range includes the states of Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacán. It is notably found within the Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala in Jalisco and the tropical deciduous forest of Nayarit. The specific epithet "chamelensis" refers to the Chamela region where it was first described.
Taxonomy
The species was formally described by the botanist Pérez-Jiménez in 1982, published in the Boletín de la Sociedad Botánica de México (volume 42, page 35). Its binomial name is Jatropha chamelensis Pérez-Jim.
Conservation Status
Jatropha chamelensis is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2019 assessment). Its restricted geographic range and habitat specificity contribute to its conservation vulnerability.
Ecology
Research has been conducted comparing seed removal patterns between the widespread Jatropha standleyi and the endemic Jatropha chamelensis as part of investigations into plant commonness and rarity.
