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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 kind of soil at a rapid rate, is harmful, and produces fuel fit for diesel engines. Keep reading for more Jatropha tree information 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 locations. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and may grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) tall. 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 enticing, but it does get appealing 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, because they are high in burnable oil. An intriguing 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 durable the plant is even when presented to a brand-new area. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great replacement for existing 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 needs land that could enter into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "very Jatropha" with larger seeds and, therefore, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are hazardous to eat due to the latex sap, but it is used as a medical. It is useful in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant may have originated in Central to South America, but it has actually been presented around the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its prospective as a tidy burning fuel to replace fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in particular areas has been attempted, but total Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a miserable failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equal the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in quicker maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, but it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the best development will be accomplished with additional watering occasionally. It doesn't have any significant disease or bug issues in its natural areas. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait until after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or simply as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.

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Bonnie Grant is an expert landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and composing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.