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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was as soon as promoted as the brand-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 hazardous, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Read on for more Jatropha tree details 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 easy 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 aesthetically enticing, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These large black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, because they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating piece of Jatropha tree details is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how adaptable and hardy the plant is even when introduced to a new area. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is an excellent replacement for current biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, but it holds true the plant can produce seeds with an oil content of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel debate, as it requires land that might enter into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "very Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are hazardous to consume due to the latex sap, however it is utilized as a medicinal. It is beneficial in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant may have come from Central to South America, however it has been presented all over the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha uses is its potential as a clean burning fuel to fuel sources. Plantation growing in particular locations has been tried, however general Jatropha curcas growing has been a dismal failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equate to the land use by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in quicker maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, however it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the best growth will be accomplished with extra watering periodically. It doesn't have any major disease or pest issues in its natural regions. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit type on terminal development, so it is best to wait till after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is required. This plant is helpful 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 expert chef, she wants edible landscaping.