1 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 kind of soil at a quick rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Keep reading for more Jatropha tree info and see how you rate this plant.

What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?

jatropha curcas is a perennial shrub or tree. It is drought-resistant and simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for up to 50 years and might grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) tall. It has a deep, thick taproot that makes it adaptable to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly visually enticing, however it does get cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, because 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 shows how adaptable and hardy the plant is even when introduced to a new area. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good substitute for current biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, but it is true the plant can produce seeds with an oil material 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 "very Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. 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 come from Central to South America, however it has actually been introduced around the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among jatropha curcas utilizes is its potential as a tidy burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in specific locations has actually been attempted, however general Jatropha curcas growing has been a depressing failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equal the land use by cropping Jatropha.

jatropha curcas Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in quicker maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm environments, but it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be achieved with supplemental watering sometimes. It doesn't have any significant illness or bug problems in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit kind on terminal growth, so it is best to wait up until after flowering. No other jatropha curcas plant care is essential. This plant is helpful as a hedge or living fence, or simply as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.

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