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jatropha curcas (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 toxic, and produces fuel fit for diesel engines. Continue reading for more jatropha curcas tree details 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 simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical places. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it adaptable to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially aesthetically attractive, however it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which develop into a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These large black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, because 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 shows how adaptable and hardy the plant is even when introduced to a new area. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a good replacement for current biofuels. Its effectiveness has actually been challenged, but it holds 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 enter into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a “very jatropha curcas” with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are hazardous to consume due to the latex sap, but it is used as a medical. It is beneficial in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, however it has actually been introduced all over the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among jatropha curcas utilizes is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in specific locations has actually been attempted, but overall Jatropha curcas cultivation 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 curcas 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 prefers warm environments, but it can endure a . The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be achieved with supplemental watering sometimes. It does not have any major disease or bug concerns in its natural areas. It might be pruned, however flowers and fruit kind on terminal growth, so it is best to wait until after flowering. No other jatropha curcas plant care is essential. This plant is useful 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 a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and writing for 15 years. A previous expert chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.