Jatropha

? Jatropha
Spicy jatropha (Jatropha integerrima)
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Subfamily: Crotonoideae Tribe: Jatropheae Genus: Jatropha
Species
Approximately 175, see Section Species.

Jatropha is a genus of approximately 175 succulent plants, shrubs and trees (some are deciduous, like Jatropha curcas L.), from the family Euphorbiaceae. Jatropha is native to Central America , and has become naturalized in many tropical and subtropical areas, including India, Africa, and North America. Originating in the Caribbean, the jatropha was spread as a valuable hedge plant to Africa and Asia by Portuguese traders. The mature small trees bear male and female inflorescence, and do not grow very tall.

The hardy jatropha is resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing up to 40% oil. When the seeds are crushed and processed, the resulting oil can be used in a standard diesel engine, while the residue can also be processed into biomass to power electricity plants.

Goldman Sachs recently cited Jatropha curcas as one of the best candidates for future biodiesel production. However, despite its abundance and use as an oil and reclamation plant, none of the Jatropha species have been properly domesticated and, as a result, its productivity is variable, and the long-term impact of its large-scale use on soil quality and the environment is unknown.

Vegoil and biodiesel

Main article: Jatropha oil

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  Jatropha curcas seedlings in a greenhouse in Nicaragua

Currently the oil from Jatropha curcas seeds is used for making biodiesel fuel in Philippines, promoted by a law authored by Philippine senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Miguel Zubiri. Likewise, jatropha oil is being promoted as an easily grown biofuel crop in hundreds of projects throughout India and other developing countries. The rail line between Mumbai and Delhi is planted with Jatropha and the train itself runs on 15-20% biodiesel. In Africa, cultivation of jatropha is being promoted and is grown successfully in countries such as Mali.

The plant can grow in wastelands, fertilises the soil that it grows in, and yields more than four times as much fuel per hectare as soybean; more than ten times that of corn. A hectare of jatropha produces 1,892 liters of fuel (about 6.5 barrels per acre).

Jatropha can also be intercropped with other cash crops such as coffee, sugar, fruits and vegetables..

Species

Jatropha multifida

Species of Jatropha include:

• Jatropha cuneata limberbush, whose stems are used for basketmaking by the Seri people in Sonora, Mexico, who call it haat [ʔaat]. 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.
• Jatropha curcas, also called physic nut, 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. This is historically done by hand. Once the seeds have been pressed, the remaining cake can be used as feed in digesters 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. Extracts have an anti-tumor activity. The seeds can be used as a remedy for constipation, wounds can be dressed with the sap, and the boiled leaves remedy malaria and fever. 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.
• 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.

Gallery of Buddha Belly plant (Jatropha podagrica)

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  Trunk at Kolkata, West Bengal, India

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  Leaves & flowers at Kolkata, West Bengal, India

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  Fruit at Kolkata, West Bengal, India

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  Flowers at Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Synonyms

This genus is also known as:

• Adenorhopium Rchb.
• Adenoropium Pohl
• Castiglionia Ruiz & Pav.
• Collenucia Chiov.
• Curcas Adans.
• Jatropa Scop., orth. var.
• Loureira Cav.
• Mesandrinia Raf.
• Mesandrinia Ortega
• Tempate El Salvador; Nicaragua
• Zimapania Engl. & Pax

See also

• Jatropha In India

External links

• Jatropha Facts and Figures
• An Integrated Approach of Rural Development in Tropical & Subtropical Countries.
• BBC News website article re. Jatropha and biofuels
• Times Online Article
• Brazil Opens its First Commercial Jatropha Biodiesel Facility
• Biodiesel producers in Africa.
• Agroils
• Jatropha Plant Science