What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree: Jatropha Uses in The Landscape

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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was once touted as the new wunderkind plant for biofuel. What is a Jatropha curcas tree? The tree or bush grows in any type of soil at a quick rate, is toxic, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Keep reading for more Jatropha tree information 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 as much as 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it versatile to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly visually enticing, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These big black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, because they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of Jatropha tree info 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 presented to a brand-new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is an excellent alternative to existing biofuels. Its effectiveness 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 needs land that might enter into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a “super Jatropha” with bigger seeds and, for that reason, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather . Most parts of the plant are poisonous to consume due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medical. It is helpful in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, but it has actually been introduced around the globe and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its possible as a tidy burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation growing in certain locations has actually been tried, however general Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a miserable failure. This is since 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 faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm climates, but it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be accomplished with additional watering occasionally. It doesn’t have any major illness or insect issues in its natural regions. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit kind on terminal growth, so it is best to wait until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is needed. 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 an expert landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and composing for 15 years. A former expert chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.