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

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was when promoted as the brand-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 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 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 that makes it adaptable to bad, dry soil. The leaves are oval, lobed, and deciduous. Overall, the plant is not particularly aesthetically appealing, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which develop into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These big black seeds are the factor for all the hullaballoo, due to the fact that they are high in burnable oil. An intriguing piece of Jatropha 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 hardy the plant is even when presented to a brand-new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is an excellent replacement for present biofuels. Its usefulness has been challenged, however it is 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 could go into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "super Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, for that reason, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

jatropha curcas uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are hazardous to eat due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medical. It is useful in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant may have come from Central to South America, however it has been introduced around the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among jatropha curcas uses is its possible as a tidy burning fuel to change nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation growing in particular locations has actually been tried, however general cultivation has actually been a miserable failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equal the land usage 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 chooses warm climates, however it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best development will be achieved with extra watering periodically. It does not have any major illness or insect concerns in its natural regions. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit type 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 simply as a decorative stand-alone specimen.

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

Sign up 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 been gardening and composing for 15 years. A previous expert chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.