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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 suitable for diesel motor. Read on for more Jatropha tree details and see how you rate this plant.

What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?

jatropha curcas 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 may 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 particularly aesthetically enticing, but 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 factor for all the hullaballoo, due to the fact that they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating piece of Jatropha tree info is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how versatile and durable the plant is even when introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great replacement for present biofuels. Its effectiveness has actually 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 dispute, as it needs land that could enter into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "very Jatropha" with larger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

jatropha curcas uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are harmful to eat due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medical. It is helpful in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, but it has been introduced all over the world and flourishes wild in like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha utilizes is its possible as a clean burning fuel to change nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in particular areas has actually been attempted, however overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a dismal failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equate to the land usage by cropping jatropha curcas.

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, but it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the best development will be attained with extra watering periodically. It does not have any major disease or insect concerns in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit type on terminal development, so it is best to wait till after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant is helpful 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 an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former expert chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.