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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was once 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 rapid rate, is harmful, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Keep reading for more Jatropha tree info and see how you rate this plant.

What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?

Jatropha is a perennial shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical locations. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and may grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot that makes it adaptable to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially visually enticing, however it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. An intriguing piece of Jatropha tree information is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how adaptable and hardy the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation 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 dispute, as it requires land that could go into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "very Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are toxic to consume due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medical. It works in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant may have come from to South America, but it has been presented around the globe and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha uses is its possible as a tidy burning fuel to change nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation growing in specific areas has been tried, however general Jatropha curcas cultivation has actually been a disappointing failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equal the land use by cropping Jatropha.

jatropha curcas Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in faster 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 very best development will be accomplished with extra watering periodically. It does not have any major illness or insect problems in its natural areas. It might be pruned, however flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait until after blooming. No other jatropha curcas plant care is required. This plant is beneficial as a hedge or living fence, or just as a decorative stand-alone specimen.

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Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and composing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.