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

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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was when 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 fast rate, is harmful, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Read on 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 areas. The plant lives for up to 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) high. 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, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which become a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, because they are high in burnable oil. An intriguing piece of Jatropha tree details 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 introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good replacement for current biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, however 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 needs land that might enter into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a "super Jatropha" with larger seeds and, for that reason, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are toxic to eat due to the latex sap, but it is utilized 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 been introduced all over the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha utilizes is its possible as a tidy burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation growing in specific locations has actually been attempted, however general Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a dismal failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equal the land use by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in quicker and quicker seed production. It chooses warm climates, but it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest development will be attained with additional watering sometimes. It doesn't have any major illness or bug problems in its natural regions. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait till after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is required. This plant is beneficial 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 actually been gardening and composing for 15 years. A former expert chef, she has an enthusiasm for edible landscaping.