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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was once touted as the brand-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 perennial shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical places. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and might 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 particularly aesthetically attractive, however it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which develop into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These big black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, because they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating piece of jatropha curcas tree info is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how adaptable and sturdy the plant is even when introduced to a new area. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great alternative to current biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, but it holds true the plant can produce seeds with an of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel argument, as it needs land that might enter into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "very 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 toxic to consume due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medical. It works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from in Central to South America, however it has been presented around the globe and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha uses is its prospective as a tidy burning fuel to change nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in specific areas has been tried, but overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a depressing failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equate to the land use by cropping Jatropha.

jatropha curcas Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm environments, but it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest development will be attained with extra watering sometimes. It does not have any major illness or bug issues in its natural regions. It might be pruned, however flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait till after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is essential. This plant is useful 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 writing for 15 years. A previous expert chef, she wants edible landscaping.