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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was as soon as promoted 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 suitable for diesel engines. Keep reading for more Jatropha tree information 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 areas. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and may grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) tall. 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 especially visually enticing, however it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which become a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These big black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, since 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 shows how adaptable and hardy the plant is even when presented to a brand-new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is an excellent substitute for existing biofuels. Its usefulness has actually been challenged, however it is real the plant can produce seeds with an oil material of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel debate, as it requires land that could go into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a "very Jatropha" with larger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are hazardous to eat due to the latex sap, but it is used as a medicinal. It is helpful in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, however it has actually been presented worldwide and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha uses is its possible as a clean burning fuel to replace fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in certain areas has actually been attempted, however overall Jatropha curcas growing has been a depressing 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 simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm climates, but it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest development will be accomplished with supplemental watering periodically. It doesn't have any significant illness or insect issues in its natural regions. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit type on terminal development, 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 simply 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 expert chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.