The Jatrophas are very hardy and can take a lot of pruning. I prune mine back heavily every spring to make it look better and it always comes back . I have the J.Multifida and it tends to lose its leaves in the winter and also the leaves look diseased. Pruning brings it back to a healthy looking plant.
Take a look at the link to a Florida Gardening post.

Regina

Here is a link that might be useful: Pruning Jatrophas

One plant became large enough to bloom last year.
Shaped like a palm tree: single thick tall trunk, no branches, many leaves.
Only at pinacle did it flower, so few for so large a plant.

I am thinking that perhaps my four seedlings somehow can be
made to grow multiple trunks,
thus having more flowering pinnacles.
Or to grow branches, if this species does branch.
Heights are 16", 14", 9", 7".

Guidance, please.