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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was once 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 quick rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel fit for diesel engines. Keep reading for more jatropha curcas tree information and see how you rate this plant.

What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?

jatropha curcas is a seasonal shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical places. 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 versatile to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially aesthetically appealing, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which become a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating 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 durable the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is an excellent replacement for existing biofuels. Its usefulness has actually been challenged, however it holds true the plant can produce seeds with an oil material of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel dispute, as it needs land that could go into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "incredibly Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are harmful to eat due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medicinal. It works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, but it has been introduced worldwide and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation growing in particular locations has been attempted, however overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has actually been a depressing 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 faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm environments, however it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest development will be attained with extra watering periodically. It doesn't have any major illness or pest issues in its natural areas. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit type on terminal growth, so it is best to wait till after flowering. No other jatropha curcas plant care is required. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or just 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 has a passion for edible landscaping.