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 brand-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 poisonous, and produces fuel suitable for diesel motor. Keep reading for more jatropha curcas tree information 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 areas. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and may 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 visually attractive, however 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. A fascinating 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 proves how adaptable and durable the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is an excellent substitute for existing 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 requires land that might go into food production. Scientists are trying to develop a "incredibly Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha usages are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are hazardous to eat due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medical. It works in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant may have stemmed in Central to South America, however it has been introduced worldwide and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha utilizes is its potential as a tidy burning fuel to change fossil fuels. Plantation growing in particular locations has actually been tried, but general Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a miserable failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equate to the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Jatropha Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to quicker maturity and quicker seed production. It chooses warm climates, however it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the very best growth will be attained with supplemental watering occasionally. It doesn't have any significant disease or bug concerns in its natural regions. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit kind on terminal growth, so it is best to wait up until after flowering. No other jatropha curcas plant care is needed. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or just as a decorative stand-alone specimen.

Gardening suggestions, videos, details 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 an expert landscaper with an Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A previous expert chef, she wants edible landscaping.