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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 fast rate, is toxic, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Keep reading for more Jatropha tree details and see how you rate this plant.

What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?

jatropha curcas is a perennial shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and might grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) tall. 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 especially aesthetically attractive, but it does get cymes of flowerets which become 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 intriguing 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 sturdy the plant is even when presented to a new area. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a great replacement for existing biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, but it is 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 needs land that could enter into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a "very Jatropha" with larger seeds and, therefore, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are poisonous to eat due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medicinal. It is beneficial in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from in Central to South America, but it has been introduced around the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha utilizes is its prospective as a tidy burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation growing in certain areas has actually been attempted, but general Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a disappointing 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 easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm environments, however it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be attained with supplemental watering periodically. It doesn't have any major illness or insect issues in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal growth, so it is best to wait up until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is required. 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 an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former expert chef, she wants edible landscaping.