Difference between revisions of "Jatropha"

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|familia=Euphorbiaceae
 
|familia=Euphorbiaceae
 
|genus=Jatropha
 
|genus=Jatropha
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|common_name=physic nut
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|poisonous=highly toxic compounds
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|lifespan=perennial
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|exposure=sun
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|water=moderate, less when dormant
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|features=flowers, drought tolerant
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|flowers=red, single
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|Min Temp Num=50
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|Temp Metric=°F
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|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
 
 
|image=Starr 070405-6823 Jatropha integerrima.jpg
 
|image=Starr 070405-6823 Jatropha integerrima.jpg
 
|image_width=240
 
|image_width=240
 
|image_caption=Jatropha integerrima (flowers and leaves)
 
|image_caption=Jatropha integerrima (flowers and leaves)
 
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'''''Jatropha''''' is a [[genus]] of approximately 175 [[succulent plant]]s, [[shrub]]s and trees (some are [[deciduous]], like ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'' L.), from the family [[Euphorbiaceae]]. The name is derived from Greek, and has the common name '''physic nut'''. ''Jatropha'' is native to Central America<ref name=&quot;Fairless &quot;>{{cite journal|author=Fairless D.|year= 2007|title=Biofuel: The little shrub that could - maybe| journal=Nature|volume=449|pages=652–655|doi=10.1038/449652a}}</ref> and has become [[Naturalisation (biology)|naturalized]] in many tropical and subtropical areas, including India, Africa, and North America. Originating in the Caribbean, ''Jatropha'' was spread as a valuable [[Hedge (barrier)|hedge]] plant to Africa and Asia by Portuguese traders. The mature small trees bear [[monoecious|separate]] male and female flowers, and do not grow very tall. As with many members of the family [[Euphorbiaceae]], ''Jatropha'' contains compounds that are highly toxic.
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'''''Jatropha''''' is a [[genus]] of approximately 175 [[succulent plant]]s, [[shrub]]s and trees (some are [[deciduous]], like ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'' L.). The name is derived from Greek, and has the common name '''physic nut'''. ''Jatropha'' is native to Central America<ref name=&quot;Fairless &quot;>{{cite journal|author=Fairless D.|year= 2007|title=Biofuel: The little shrub that could - maybe| journal=Nature|volume=449|pages=652–655|doi=10.1038/449652a}}</ref> and has become [[naturalized]] in many tropical and subtropical areas, including India, Africa, and North America. The mature small trees bear [[monoecious|separate]] male and female flowers, and do not grow very tall. As with many members of the family [[Euphorbiaceae]], ''Jatropha'' contains compounds that are highly toxic.
  
 
The hardy ''Jatropha'' is resistant to [[drought]] and [[pest]]s, and produces [[seed]]s containing 27-40% [[oil]].
 
The hardy ''Jatropha'' is resistant to [[drought]] and [[pest]]s, and produces [[seed]]s containing 27-40% [[oil]].
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Species of ''Jatropha'' include:
 
Species of ''Jatropha'' include:
  
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* ''[[Jatropha cuneata]]'' '''limberbush''', whose stems are used for basketmaking by the [[Seri people]] in [[Sonora]], Mexico, who call it '''haat''' ({{pron|ʔaːt}}). The stems are roasted, split and soaked through an elaborate process. The reddish color dye that is often used is made from the root of another plant species, ''Krameria grayi''.
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* ''[[Jatropha cuneata]]'' '''limberbush''', whose stems are used for basketmaking by the [[Seri people]] in [[Sonora]], Mexico, who call it '''haat'''.
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* ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'', also known as '''physic nut''', '''piñoncillo''' and '''Habb-El-Melúk''', is used to produce the non-edible [[Jatropha oil]], for making candles and [[soap]], and as a feedstock for producing [[biodiesel]]. Prior to pressing, the seed can be shelled with the [[Universal Nut Sheller]] which reduces the arduous task of removing the seeds from the shell by hand. Once the seeds have been pressed, the remaining cake can be used as feed in [[digester]]s and gasifiers to produce biogas for cooking and in engines, or be used for fertilizing, and sometimes even as animal [[fodder]]. The whole seed (with oil) can also be used in digesters to produce biogas. Large plantings and nurseries have been undertaken in India by many research institutions, and by women's [[self-help]] groups who use a system of [[microcredit]] to ease poverty among semi-literate Indian women.
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* ''[[Jatropha curcas]]'', also known as '''physic nut''', '''piñoncillo''' and '''Habb-El-Melúk''', is used to produce the non-edible [[Jatropha oil]], for making candles and [[soap]], and as a feedstock for producing [[biodiesel]].
 
* ''[[Jatropha gossypifolia]]'', also called '''bellyache bush''': its fruits and foliage are toxic to humans and animals. It is a major weed in Australia.
 
* ''[[Jatropha gossypifolia]]'', also called '''bellyache bush''': its fruits and foliage are toxic to humans and animals. It is a major weed in Australia.
 
* ''[[Jatropha integerrima]]'' <small>[[Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin|Jacq.]]</small>, or '''spicy jatropha''': ornamental in the tropics, continuously [[crimson]], flowers almost all year.
 
* ''[[Jatropha integerrima]]'' <small>[[Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin|Jacq.]]</small>, or '''spicy jatropha''': ornamental in the tropics, continuously [[crimson]], flowers almost all year.

Revision as of 00:59, 13 January 2010


Jatropha integerrima (flowers and leaves)


Plant Characteristics
Lifespan: ⌛ perennial
Poisonous: ☠ highly toxic compounds
Cultivation
Exposure: ☼ sun
Water: ◍ moderate, less when dormant
Features: ✓ flowers, drought tolerant
Minimum Temp: ☃ 50°F283.15 K <br />10 °C <br />509.67 °R <br />
Flower features: ❀ red, single
Scientific Names

Euphorbiaceae >

Jatropha >


Jatropha is a genus of approximately 175 succulent plants, shrubs and trees (some are deciduous, like Jatropha curcas L.). The name is derived from Greek, and has the common name physic nut. Jatropha is native to Central America[1] and has become naturalized in many tropical and subtropical areas, including India, Africa, and North America. The mature small trees bear separate male and female flowers, and do not grow very tall. As with many members of the family Euphorbiaceae, Jatropha contains compounds that are highly toxic.

The hardy Jatropha is resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing 27-40% oil.

Cultivation

Outdoors: likes moderately rich soil, with humus, and some grit for good drainage. Plant in full sun.

Indoors under glass: 2 parts potting mix (soil based) to one part grit and one part leaf mold. Give strong light, but protect from hot sun under glass. Water moderately in Spring/Summer, with monthly fertilizer, and keep very dry in Fall/Winter.

Propagation

Seed should be sown in Spring or Summer at 74F (25C).

Pests and diseases

Susceptible to mushroom root rot, rust, fungal leaf spot, scale insects, mealybugs.

Species

Jatropha gossipifolia in Hyderabad, India.
Jatropha multifida
Jatropha podagrica in Hyderabad, India.

Species of Jatropha include:

  • Jatropha cuneata limberbush, whose stems are used for basketmaking by the Seri people in Sonora, Mexico, who call it haat.
  • Jatropha curcas, also known as physic nut, piñoncillo and Habb-El-Melúk, is used to produce the non-edible Jatropha oil, for making candles and soap, and as a feedstock for producing biodiesel.
  • Jatropha gossypifolia, also called bellyache bush: its fruits and foliage are toxic to humans and animals. It is a major weed in Australia.
  • Jatropha integerrima Jacq., or spicy jatropha: ornamental in the tropics, continuously crimson, flowers almost all year.
  • Jatropha multifida L., or coral plant: bright red flowers, like red coral, charactertised by strongly incised leaves.
  • Jatropha podagrica or buddha belly plant or bottleplant shrub was used to tan leather and produce a red dye in Mexico and the Southwestern United States. It is also used as a house plant.

Synonyms -- This genus is also known as:

Toxicity

Characteristic of many members of the family Euphorbiaceae, Jatropha plants contain several toxic compounds, including lectin, saponin, carcinogenic phorbol, and a trypsin inhibitor. Despite this, the seeds are occasionally eaten after roasting, which reduces some of the toxicity. Its sap is a skin irritant, and ingesting as few as three untreated seeds can be fatal to humans. In 2005 Western Australia banned Jatropha gossypifolia as invasive and highly toxic to people and animals.


Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Fairless D. (2007). "Biofuel: The little shrub that could - maybe". Nature 449: 652–655. doi:10.1038/449652a. 

External links


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