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

roxanneodrisco edited this page 6 days ago

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

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 motor. Continue reading for more Jatropha tree details 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 up to 50 years and may grow almost 20 feet (6 m.) high. It has a deep, thick taproot which makes it versatile to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially aesthetically enticing, however 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, since they are high in burnable oil. An interesting piece of jatropha curcas tree info is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how versatile and sturdy the plant is even when introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a great replacement for current biofuels. Its effectiveness 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 dispute, as it requires land that might enter into food production. Scientists are attempting to establish a "very jatropha curcas" with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are toxic to consume due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medicinal. It is helpful in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have stemmed in Central to South America, however it has been presented around the globe and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst jatropha curcas uses is its possible as a clean burning fuel to replace nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation growing in specific areas has actually been attempted, but total Jatropha curcas cultivation has actually been a miserable failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equal the land use by cropping Jatropha.

jatropha curcas Plant Care and Growth

The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in much faster maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm environments, however it can endure 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 issues in its natural regions. It might be pruned, however flowers and fruit kind on terminal growth, so it is best to wait until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is essential. This plant is beneficial as a hedge or living fence, or simply as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.

Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!

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

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