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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 type of soil at a quick rate, is toxic, and produces fuel fit for diesel engines. Read on for more Jatropha tree details 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 easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical locations. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and might grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) tall. It has a deep, thick taproot that makes it versatile to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially aesthetically enticing, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which become a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These big black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. An intriguing piece of Jatropha tree info 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 growing can produce oil that is a good substitute for current biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, but 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 go into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a "extremely Jatropha" with larger seeds and, for that reason, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are harmful to eat 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, however it has been presented around the globe and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha utilizes is its potential as a tidy burning fuel to change nonrenewable fuel . Plantation cultivation in particular locations has been tried, but total Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a depressing 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 easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to 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 finest growth will be accomplished with extra watering occasionally. It doesn't have any significant disease or insect problems in its natural areas. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit form on terminal growth, so it is best to wait till after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. 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 an expert landscaper with an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and composing for 15 years. A previous expert chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.