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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 fast rate, is hazardous, and produces fuel fit for diesel engines. 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 approximately 50 years and might grow nearly 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 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, since they are high in burnable oil. An interesting 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 versatile and sturdy the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is an excellent alternative to existing biofuels. Its usefulness has 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 debate, as it requires land that might enter into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "extremely Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are toxic to eat due to the latex sap, however it is utilized as a medical. It works in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have stemmed in Central to South America, however it has actually been presented all over the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha uses is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation growing in particular locations has actually been attempted, however overall 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 curcas.

Jatropha 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 chooses warm environments, however it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the best growth will be achieved with extra watering occasionally. It doesn't have any major disease or insect concerns in its natural areas. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit type on terminal growth, so it is best to wait up until after blooming. No other jatropha curcas plant care is essential. This plant is useful as a hedge or living fence, or simply 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 writing for 15 years. A previous expert chef, she wants edible landscaping.