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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was once touted as the brand-new wunderkind plant for biofuel. What is a Jatropha curcas tree? The tree or bush grows in any type of soil at a quick rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel fit 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 perennial shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical places. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and might grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) high. 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 especially aesthetically appealing, but it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These big black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, because they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating 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 proves how adaptable and hardy the plant is even when introduced to a brand-new area. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is an excellent alternative to present biofuels. Its effectiveness has actually been challenged, however it is 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 go into food production. Scientists are attempting to develop a "very Jatropha" with larger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are harmful to eat 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 may have come from in 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 tidy burning fuel to replace fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in specific areas has been attempted, however general Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a disappointing failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equate to the land use by cropping jatropha curcas.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in quicker maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm climates, however it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be achieved with additional watering occasionally. It doesn't have any significant illness or bug problems in its natural areas. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit kind on terminal development, so it is best to wait till 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 been gardening and composing for 15 years. A previous professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.