What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree: Jatropha Uses in The Landscape
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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was once promoted 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 harmful, and produces fuel fit for diesel motor. Read on for more Jatropha tree information and see how you rate this plant.
What is a Jatropha Curcas Tree?
Jatropha is a perennial shrub or tree. It is and easy to grow in tropical to semi-tropical locations. The plant lives for up to 50 years and may grow nearly 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 enticing, but 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, because they are high in burnable oil. An interesting 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 introduced to a new region. Jatropha curcas growing can produce oil that is a great replacement for present biofuels. Its usefulness has actually been challenged, however it holds true the plant can produce seeds with an oil material of 37%. Unfortunately, it is still a part of the food vs. fuel debate, as it needs land that could enter into food production. Scientists are trying to establish a "extremely jatropha curcas" with larger seeds and, therefore, larger oil yields.
Jatropha Curcas Cultivation
Jatropha uses are rather restricted. Most parts of the plant are poisonous to consume due to the latex sap, however it is utilized as a medical. It is useful in treating snakebite, paralysis, dropsy, and apparently some cancers. The plant might have come from in Central to South America, however it has been presented around the world and flourishes wild in locations like India, Africa, and Asia. Chief amongst jatropha curcas utilizes is its prospective as a clean burning fuel to replace fossil fuels. Plantation growing in specific locations has been tried, however overall Jatropha curcas cultivation has actually been a dismal failure. This is since the production mass of oil can not equal the land use by cropping Jatropha.
Jatropha Plant Care and Growth
The plant is simple to grow from cuttings or seed. Cuttings result in quicker maturity and quicker seed production. It prefers warm climates, however it can endure a light frost. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, although the best growth will be attained with extra watering periodically. It doesn't have any major illness or pest issues in its natural regions. It might be pruned, but flowers and fruit type on terminal growth, so it is best to wait up until after flowering. No other Jatropha plant care is necessary. This plant works as a hedge or living fence, or just as an ornamental stand-alone specimen.
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Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A previous professional chef, she wants edible landscaping.