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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 type of soil at a fast rate, is toxic, 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 perennial shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for up to 50 years and might grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it adaptable to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially visually appealing, however it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which become a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These large black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating 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 versatile and sturdy the plant is even when presented to a brand-new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great replacement for current biofuels. Its usefulness has actually been challenged, however it is 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 needs land that could enter into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "extremely Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, therefore, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are toxic to consume due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medicinal. It works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, but it has been introduced worldwide and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha uses is its prospective as a tidy burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in particular areas has been tried, but total Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a miserable failure. This is since 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 quicker 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 additional watering sometimes. It doesn't have any significant illness or insect problems in its natural regions. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait till after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is needed. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or simply 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 former expert chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.