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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was when touted as the new wunderkind plant for biofuel. What is a Jatropha curcas tree? The tree or bush grows in any kind of soil at a fast rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Continue reading for more Jatropha tree info and see how you rate this plant.

What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?

Jatropha is a seasonal shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and may grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) tall. It has a deep, thick taproot that makes it versatile to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially visually attractive, but it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, because they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of Jatropha tree details is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how versatile and sturdy the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good replacement for existing biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, but it is real the plant can produce seeds with an oil material of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel debate, as it needs land that could go into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a “incredibly Jatropha” with bigger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are toxic to eat due to the latex sap, however it is utilized as a medical. It works in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, but it has actually been around the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha utilizes is its potential as a clean burning fuel to change nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation growing in certain locations has actually been tried, however total Jatropha curcas growing has been a dismal failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equate to the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm environments, however it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be attained with extra watering sometimes. It doesn’t have any major illness or insect problems in its natural areas. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit kind on terminal development, so it is best to wait up until after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is required. This plant is beneficial as a hedge or living fence, or just as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.

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Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A previous professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.