New ornamental Jatropha hybrids through interspecific hybridization

Interspecific hybridization has been successful between two economically important species of Jatropha, viz., J. curcas and J. integerrima. The interspecific hybrids exhibited morphological intermediacy for various vegetative characteristics but produced flowers with three distinct colours. Backcrossing of the F₁ hybrids resulted in a number of flower colours varying from dark pink through green to white enhancing the ornamental value of the genus. Hybridity was confirmed through PCR amplification using random primers. The various propagation methods for these new ornamental Jatrophas are discussed.