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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was as soon as 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 rapid rate, is harmful, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Read on for more 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 simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical locations. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and may 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 particularly visually appealing, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which become a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These large black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, since 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 versatile and durable the plant is even when introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good alternative for current biofuels. Its effectiveness has actually been challenged, however it is true the plant can produce seeds with an oil material of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel argument, as it requires land that might go into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "super jatropha curcas" with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are harmful to consume due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medical. It is beneficial in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant may have come from Central to South America, however it has been introduced around the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst jatropha curcas uses is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to change nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in certain locations has been tried, however overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has actually been a miserable failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equate to the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm climates, but it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be attained with additional watering occasionally. It doesn't have any major disease or bug problems in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait up until after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or simply as a decorative stand-alone specimen.

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