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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was when promoted as the brand-new wunderkind plant for biofuel. What is a tree? The tree or bush grows in any kind of soil at a rapid rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Continue reading for more Jatropha tree info 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 easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical places. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and may 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 especially aesthetically enticing, but it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which become a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, because they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of Jatropha tree info is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how versatile and durable the plant is even when introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a great substitute for current biofuels. Its usefulness has actually been challenged, however it holds true the plant can produce seeds with an oil material of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel argument, as it requires land that might go into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "incredibly Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, for that reason, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are poisonous to eat due to the latex sap, but it is used as a medical. It is beneficial in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant may have come from Central to South America, but it has actually been introduced worldwide and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to replace fossil fuels. Plantation growing in particular locations has been attempted, but overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has actually been a depressing failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equate to the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, but it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best development will be achieved with additional watering periodically. It doesn't have any major disease or bug concerns in its natural areas. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit kind on terminal growth, so it is best to wait until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is required. This plant is helpful as a hedge or living fence, or just as an ornamental 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 former expert chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.