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 type of soil at a quick rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Continue reading for more Jatropha tree information 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 approximately 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it adaptable to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly visually enticing, however it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which become a tri-compartment fruit with big black seeds. These big black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of Jatropha 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 sturdy the plant is even when presented to a new area. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good replacement for current biofuels. Its usefulness 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 requires land that might enter into food production. Scientists are attempting to develop a "extremely Jatropha" with larger seeds and, for that reason, 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, however it is utilized as a medical. It works in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant may have come from Central to South America, but it has been presented all over the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha utilizes is its possible as a tidy burning fuel to replace fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in particular locations has been attempted, but overall Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a miserable failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equate to the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm environments, but it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be achieved with additional watering occasionally. It doesn't have any significant illness or insect issues in its natural areas. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit form on terminal growth, so it is best to wait until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is required. This plant is useful as a hedge or living fence, or just 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 wants edible landscaping.