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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was as soon as 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. Keep reading for more Jatropha tree information 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 locations. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it versatile to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly visually attractive, but it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These big black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of Jatropha tree info is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how versatile and durable the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great replacement for current biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, but it holds true the plant can produce seeds with an oil material of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel argument, as it requires land that might go into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "incredibly Jatropha" with larger seeds and, for that reason, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are poisonous to eat due to the latex sap, however it is utilized as a medicinal. It is beneficial in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant may have come from Central to South America, but it has actually been introduced around the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its potential as a tidy burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation growing in certain areas has been tried, but overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a depressing failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equal the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, however it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best development will be achieved with supplemental watering periodically. It doesn't have any significant disease or bug concerns in its natural regions. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit type on terminal development, so it is best to wait until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is required. This plant is useful 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 a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been and composing for 15 years. A former expert chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.