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jatropha curcas (Jatropha curcas) was when touted as the plant for biofuel. What is a Jatropha curcas tree? The tree or bush grows in any type of soil at a quick rate, is harmful, and produces fuel suitable for diesel engines. Continue 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 simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical locations. The plant lives for up to 50 years and may 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, however it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which develop into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These big black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating piece of jatropha curcas tree details is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how adaptable and hardy the plant is even when introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great alternative to present biofuels. Its effectiveness has been challenged, however it is real the plant can produce seeds with an oil content of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel argument, as it needs land that could go into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "very Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are poisonous to consume due to the latex sap, but it is used as a medical. It works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant may have come from Central to South America, but it has been introduced worldwide and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst jatropha curcas uses is its possible as a tidy burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in certain areas has been tried, however general Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a disappointing failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equate to the land use by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to quicker 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 best growth will be achieved with additional watering sometimes. It doesn't have any major illness or pest issues in its natural areas. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait up until after flowering. No other jatropha curcas plant care is essential. This plant works 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 previous professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.