Cnidoscolus aconitifolius

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius
'Estrella'
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Cnidoscolus
Species:
C. aconitifolius
Binomial name
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius
Subspecies
  • Cnidoscolus aconitifolius subsp. aconitifolius
  • Cnidoscolus aconitifolius subsp. polyanthus
Synonyms
List
    • Cnidoscolus chayamansa McVaugh
    • Jatropha aconitifolia Mill.
    • Cnidoscolus chaya Lundell
    • Cnidoscolus fragrans (Kunth) Pohl
    • Cnidoscolus longipedunculatus (Brandegee) Pax & K.Hoffm.
    • Cnidoscolus napifolius (Desr.) Pohl
    • Cnidoscolus palmatus (Willd.) Pohl
    • Cnidoscolus quinquelobatus (Mill.) León
    • Jatropha deutziiflora Croizat
    • Jatropha fragrans Kunth
    • Jatropha longipedunculata Brandegee
    • Jatropha napifolia Desr.
    • Jatropha palmata Sessé & Moc. Ex Cerv.
    • Jatropha papaya Medik.
    • Jatropha quinqueloba Sessé
    • Jatropha quinquelobata Mill.

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, commonly known as chaya, tree spinach, Mayan tree spinach, or spinach tree, is a large, fast-growing and leafy perennial shrub in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae.

The plant is native to Mexico. As with most euphorbias, the plant exudes an irritating, often toxic latex when damaged. The plant is cultivated in warm climates for its leaves that are cooked and eaten like spinach.