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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was when promoted as the brand-new wunderkind plant for biofuel. What is a Jatropha curcas tree? The tree or bush grows in any kind of soil at a fast rate, is toxic, and produces fuel suitable for diesel engines. Read on for more Jatropha 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 areas. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and may 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 especially aesthetically appealing, but it does get attractive 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. An intriguing piece of Jatropha tree information is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how versatile and hardy the plant is even when presented to a new area. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a good alternative to present biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, however 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 dispute, as it requires land that could go into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "incredibly 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 toxic to consume due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medicinal. It is beneficial in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, but it has been introduced around the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its possible as a clean burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in specific locations has actually been attempted, however overall Jatropha curcas growing has been a miserable failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equate to the land use by cropping Jatropha.

Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to quicker maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm climates, however it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest development will be attained with extra watering periodically. It doesn't have any major disease or pest 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 blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is needed. 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 an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former expert chef, she wants edible landscaping.