When you acquire through links on our site, we may make an affiliate commission. Here's how it works.

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was once 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 fast rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Read on for more Jatropha tree details and see how you rate this plant.

What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?

jatropha curcas is a seasonal shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and may grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot that makes it versatile to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially visually enticing, however it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with large 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 curcas tree info is that it is noted 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 brand-new area. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a good substitute for present biofuels. Its usefulness has actually 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 dispute, as it requires land that might go into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "extremely Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are toxic to consume due to the latex sap, but it is used as a medicinal. It is useful in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant may have stemmed in Central to South America, however it has actually been presented around the globe and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its potential as a clean burning fuel to replace fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in specific locations has actually been tried, however overall Jatropha curcas growing 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 lead to much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, however it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the best growth will be achieved with supplemental watering periodically. It doesn't have any significant illness or bug issues in its natural regions. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit kind on terminal development, so it is best to wait till after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or simply as a specimen.

Gardening pointers, videos, information and more delivered right to your inbox!

Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a totally free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".

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