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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was as soon as promoted 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 hazardous, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Keep reading for more Jatropha tree info 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 easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick that makes it versatile to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly visually enticing, 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, since they are high in burnable oil. An interesting 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 hardy the plant is even when presented to a brand-new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great substitute for existing biofuels. Its usefulness 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 debate, as it requires land that might enter into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "very Jatropha" with larger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are poisonous to eat due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medicinal. It works in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously 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 among Jatropha utilizes is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in particular locations has been attempted, however overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a disappointing failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equal 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 chooses warm climates, however it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest growth will be attained with supplemental watering sometimes. It doesn't have any significant illness or bug issues in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal growth, so it is best to wait until after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant is beneficial as a hedge or living fence, or simply as a decorative stand-alone specimen.

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