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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was when 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 quick rate, is toxic, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Keep 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 easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical locations. 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 adaptable to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially visually attractive, however it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These large black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, due to the fact that they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of Jatropha tree information is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how adaptable and durable the plant is even when presented to a new area. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good replacement for present biofuels. Its effectiveness has 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 dispute, as it requires land that might go into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "very jatropha curcas" with larger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Cultivation

Jatropha usages 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 works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant may have come from Central to South America, however it has been introduced worldwide and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha utilizes is its potential as a clean burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in particular locations has actually been attempted, but general Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a miserable failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equate to the land use by cropping Jatropha.

jatropha curcas Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in quicker maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm climates, however it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be accomplished with extra watering periodically. It does not have any major illness or insect concerns in its natural areas. It might be pruned, however flowers and fruit kind on terminal growth, so it is best to wait up until after blooming. No other jatropha curcas plant care is essential. This plant is useful as a hedge or living fence, or simply as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.

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Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and composing for 15 years. A previous professional chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.