Jatropha can grow in various areas in the Philippines. Jatropha’s main ise mainly has been as a live fence for protection of agricultural fields from damage by livestock. As a non-edible plant, it is an effective barrier between livestock and crop fields; thus, the local name tubang bakod.

It is commonly known locally as tuba-tuba. In other dialects it is also known as tagumbao, tawa-tawa, kalunay, kasla and tangan-tangan.