When you acquire through links on our website, we may make an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Jatropha (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 type of soil at a quick 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 curcas 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 adaptable to poor, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not especially visually attractive, however it does get appealing green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These big black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. A fascinating piece of Jatropha tree details is that it is listed as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This proves how adaptable and sturdy the plant is even when presented to a brand-new area. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great for current biofuels. Its usefulness has actually 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 could go into food production. Scientists are attempting to develop a “very jatropha curcas” with bigger seeds and, for that reason, bigger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are toxic to consume due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medical. It is useful in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have come from Central to South America, but it has actually been presented all over the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst Jatropha uses is its prospective as a tidy burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in particular areas has been attempted, however total Jatropha curcas cultivation has actually been a depressing failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equal the land usage by cropping jatropha curcas.

jatropha curcas Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy 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 supplemental watering periodically. It does not have any major illness or bug issues in its natural areas. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit form on terminal development, so it is best to wait up until after blooming. No other Jatropha plant care is essential. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or just as a decorative stand-alone specimen.

Gardening pointers, videos, information and more delivered right to your inbox!

Sign up 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 an expert landscaper with an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and composing for 15 years. A former expert chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.