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jatropha curcas (Jatropha curcas) was when promoted as the brand-new wunderkind plant for biofuel. What is a tree? The tree or bush grows in any type of soil at a quick rate, is toxic, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Continue reading for more Jatropha tree info 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 may grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it adaptable to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly aesthetically appealing, however it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which develop into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating piece of Jatropha tree details is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how versatile and sturdy the plant is even when presented to a new area. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great replacement for present biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, however 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 could go into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "incredibly Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are toxic to eat due to the latex sap, but it is used as a medical. It is beneficial in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant may have stemmed in Central to South America, but it has been presented all over the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha utilizes is its potential as a clean burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in certain areas has actually been tried, but overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a dismal failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equal the land use by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm climates, but it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the best growth will be attained with supplemental watering sometimes. It does not have any significant illness or insect concerns in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit type on terminal growth, so it is best to wait till after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is required. This plant is useful 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 composing for 15 years. A previous professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.