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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 fast rate, is hazardous, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Read on 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 might grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) tall. 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 especially visually enticing, however it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which develop 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 interesting 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 versatile and hardy the plant is even when introduced to a new area. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a good substitute for existing biofuels. Its effectiveness has actually been challenged, however 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 needs land that could enter into food production. Scientists are attempting to develop a "very Jatropha" with larger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are toxic to eat due to the latex sap, however it is utilized as a medicinal. It is beneficial in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from in Central to South America, however it has actually 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 tidy burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation growing in particular areas has actually been attempted, however general Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a miserable failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equal the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm climates, however it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the best development will be accomplished with supplemental watering sometimes. It doesn't have any major illness or pest problems in its natural regions. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait till after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. 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 an expert landscaper with an in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and composing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.