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

jatropha curcas (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 kind of soil at a fast rate, is poisonous, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Keep reading for more Jatropha 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 easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical areas. The plant lives for as much as 50 years and may grow nearly 20 feet (6 m.) tall. 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, but it does get attractive green cymes of flowerets which develop into a tri-compartment fruit with large black seeds. These large black seeds are the reason for all the hullaballoo, since they are high in burnable oil. An intriguing piece of Jatropha tree information is that it is noted as a weed in Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador. This shows how adaptable and hardy the plant is even when presented to a brand-new region. Jatropha curcas cultivation can produce oil that is a good alternative to present biofuels. Its effectiveness has actually 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 dispute, as it requires land that could enter into food production. Scientists are attempting to develop a “extremely Jatropha” with bigger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.

Jatropha Curcas Cultivation

Jatropha uses are rather limited. Most parts of the plant are poisonous to consume due to the latex sap, but it is utilized as a medical. It works in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from in Central to South America, but it has actually been presented around the world and flourishes wild in places like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief among Jatropha uses is its prospective as a tidy burning fuel to replace fossil fuels. Plantation cultivation in certain areas has been attempted, however overall Jatropha curcas growing has been a depressing failure. This is because the production mass of oil can not equate to the land usage by cropping Jatropha.

Plant Care and Growth

The plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in faster maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm climates, however it can survive a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the finest development will be attained with extra watering sometimes. It doesn’t have any significant disease or insect issues in its natural regions. It might 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 simply as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.

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

Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and get 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 Accreditation in Urban Gardening. She has actually been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former expert chef, she wants edible landscaping.