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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 poisonous, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Read on for more Jatropha tree information 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 as much as 50 years and might grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) tall. 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 appealing green cymes of flowerets which develop into a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These big black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of jatropha curcas tree information is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how versatile and hardy the plant is even when introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is an excellent alternative for existing biofuels. Its effectiveness has actually 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 argument, as it requires land that could go into food production. Scientists are attempting to develop a "incredibly Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather . Most parts of the plant are poisonous to consume due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medical. It works in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from in Central to South America, but it has been introduced all over the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha utilizes is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to replace fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in certain areas has actually been tried, however overall Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a dismal failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equal the land use by cropping Jatropha.

jatropha curcas Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to faster 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 best development will be accomplished with additional watering sometimes. It does not have any major disease or pest concerns in its natural regions. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit form on terminal growth, so it is best to wait till after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is essential. This plant works 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 a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.