When you buy through links on our website, we might make an affiliate commission. Here's how it works.
jatropha curcas (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 quick rate, is toxic, and produces fuel suitable for diesel engines. Read on for more Jatropha tree details 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 easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical locations. The plant lives for approximately 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 especially visually appealing, however it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which turn into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, due to the fact that 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 adaptable and sturdy the plant is even when presented to a new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is an excellent replacement for present biofuels. Its usefulness has actually been challenged, but it is real the plant can produce seeds with an oil material 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 establish a "super Jatropha" with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.
Jatropha Curcas Cultivation
jatropha curcas uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are to eat due to the latex sap, however it is used as a medicinal. It works in dealing with snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and obviously some cancers. The plant might have originated in Central to South America, but it has actually been introduced all over the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha utilizes is its prospective as a tidy burning fuel to change nonrenewable fuel sources. Plantation growing in certain areas has actually been tried, however overall Jatropha curcas growing has actually been a depressing failure. This is due to the fact that the production mass of oil can not equal the land usage by cropping Jatropha.
Jatropha Plant Care and Growth
The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings lead to faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm environments, however it can make it through a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest growth will be attained with extra watering periodically. It doesn't have any significant disease or pest problems in its natural areas. It may be pruned, but flowers and fruit kind on terminal development, so it is best to wait up until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is required. This plant is useful as a hedge or living fence, or just as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more provided right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a totally free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and composing for 15 years. A previous expert chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.
1
What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree: Jatropha Uses in The Landscape
Nelle Thring edited this page 3 months ago