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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 rapid rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Keep reading for more jatropha curcas 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 easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical places. The plant lives for up to 50 years and might grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) tall. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it versatile to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly visually enticing, but it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These large black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, because they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating piece of Jatropha tree information is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how adaptable and sturdy the plant is even when introduced to a brand-new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good replacement for present biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, but it is real the plant can produce seeds with an oil content of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel debate, as it needs land that could go into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a "extremely jatropha curcas" with bigger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

jatropha curcas usages are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are poisonous to consume due to the latex sap, but it is used as a medicinal. It works in dealing with 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 curcas uses is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation growing in particular areas has been tried, but total Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a miserable failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equate to the land use by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, however it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be achieved with supplemental watering periodically. It doesn't have any significant disease or insect problems in its natural areas. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait up until after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or just as an ornamental 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 professional chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.