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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was as soon as 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 fast rate, is harmful, and produces fuel suitable for diesel engines. Continue reading for more Jatropha 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 areas. The plant lives for approximately 50 years and might grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) tall. 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 appealing, but 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 reason for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. An intriguing piece of jatropha curcas tree information is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how versatile and hardy the plant is even when introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a great alternative to . 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 dispute, as it needs land that could go into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a "very jatropha curcas" with larger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are toxic to consume due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medical. It is beneficial in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from in Central to South America, however it has been presented all over the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in particular areas has been attempted, but total Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a depressing failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equate to the land use by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm climates, but it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best development will be accomplished with additional watering sometimes. It doesn't have any significant disease or bug concerns in its natural areas. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit type on terminal development, so it is best to wait up until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant is helpful 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 has a passion for edible landscaping.