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 rapid rate, is hazardous, and produces fuel fit for diesel engines. Read on for more jatropha curcas tree info 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 simple to grow in tropical to semi-tropical places. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and may grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it adaptable to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially aesthetically appealing, however it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which turn into 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 curcas tree details is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how adaptable and durable the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good alternative to current biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, however 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 argument, as it needs land that could enter into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a "very Jatropha" with larger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are toxic to due to the latex sap, however it is utilized as a medical. It is useful in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant may have stemmed in Central to South America, however it has been presented around the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha utilizes is its prospective as a tidy burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation cultivation in particular areas has been attempted, but total Jatropha curcas growing has been a depressing failure. This is due to the fact that 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 faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm environments, but it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest development will be accomplished with extra watering occasionally. It does not have any significant disease or bug concerns in its natural regions. 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 necessary. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or just as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.

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