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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was once 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 rapid rate, is harmful, and produces fuel suitable for diesel engines. Continue reading 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 simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for up to 50 years and might grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot that makes it adaptable to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially visually appealing, but it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which develop into a with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, due to the fact that they are high in burnable oil. An interesting 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 shows how versatile and durable the plant is even when presented to a brand-new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great substitute for current biofuels. Its usefulness 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 dispute, as it needs land that could enter into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "very jatropha curcas" with bigger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are toxic to consume due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medical. It works in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant may have originated in Central to South America, but it has been presented all over the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its possible as a clean burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in certain areas has actually been tried, however general Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a miserable failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equal the land use by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, but it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best development will be attained with additional watering periodically. It doesn't have any significant disease or pest problems in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit type on terminal development, so it is best to wait until after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is essential. This plant is useful 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 an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and writing for 15 years. A previous professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.