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 fast rate, is hazardous, 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 easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for up to 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 particularly attractive, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which develop into 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. A fascinating 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 sturdy the plant is even when presented to a new area. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good alternative to existing 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 debate, as it requires land that might go into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a “super jatropha curcas” with larger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

jatropha curcas usages are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are toxic to consume due to the latex sap, but it is used as a medical. It works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, but it has actually been presented around the globe and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha uses is its prospective as a tidy burning fuel to change nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in certain locations has actually been attempted, however overall Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a depressing 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 lead to faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm climates, however it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best development will be accomplished with additional watering sometimes. It doesn’t have any major illness or bug concerns in its natural areas. It may be pruned, however flowers and fruit type on terminal growth, so it is best to wait up until after blooming. No other jatropha curcas plant care is necessary. 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 a professional landscaper with an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and composing for 15 years. A previous professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.