mission-newenergy-ltd

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

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works.

jatropha curcas (Jatropha curcas) was as soon as 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 poisonous, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Continue 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 places. The plant lives for up to 50 years and might grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) tall. It has a deep, thick taproot that makes it versatile to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly aesthetically 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 reason for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. An intriguing piece of Jatropha tree information is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how versatile and durable the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a great alternative to 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 could go into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "super Jatropha" with larger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are poisonous to eat due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medicinal. It is helpful in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from in Central to South America, however it has actually been presented around the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among jatropha curcas uses is its potential as a tidy burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation growing in specific areas has been tried, however total Jatropha curcas cultivation has been a dismal failure. This is due to the fact that 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 or seed. Cuttings result in much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, but it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest growth will be attained with additional watering occasionally. It does not have any major disease or insect concerns in its natural areas. It might be pruned, however flowers and fruit kind on terminal growth, so it is best to wait until after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is essential. This plant is useful as a hedge or living fence, or simply as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.

Gardening pointers, videos, info and more provided right to your inbox!

Register for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and get a complimentary download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".

Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.