Tiny little something or other

[Mrsmorningwood]

I have no clue what this is. It was one of 4 plants given to be by a kindly German man at our Arbor Day event. The other 3 are easily id'd.
The giftor could not furnish me with a name. He simply told me that the brown capsule thing on top would fall off on its own, and when the plant reached maturity it would drop a bunch of similar things to the ground which would start the whole process over again. ???
I don't know if it's a tree, shrub, perennial? I know it's a plant.

 

[Leon]

It looks like it might be a Jatropha sp. If it is the species that I think it is consider it very poisonous. Avoid all contact with the sap.

 

[mrtree]

Try this link I think it might be Jathropha multifida http://www.floridata.com/ref/J/jatr_mul.cfm

There is some interesting Jathropha that might be useful as biodiesel and biofuels. Can't find the article I cut out, but apparently some Jathropha can be grown on "waste" lands and produce an oil rich fruit. I believe jojoba is in the family.

 

[Mrsmorningwood]

Very cool. Thanks guys, You're Great!