Jatropha Curcas Plant
:
The Name Jatropha
is derived from the Greek word 'Jatros'
means 'Doctor' and 'trophe' means 'Nutrition'.
The botanical name of Jatropha Curcas is known as Jatropha
Curcas L. and it belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. Jatropha
Curcas is a multipurpose shrub found throughout the tropics,
known by 200 different names in various parts of the globe.
Jatropha Curcas is a deciduous
large shrub or small tree, about 3 - 5 m in height with
smooth grey bark, which exudes whitish colored watery latex
when cut. The cut branches sprout readily and grow rapidly
which makes it suitable for fencing. The leaves are green
to pale green, broad and usually simple, angular, deeply
palmately 3-5 lobed.
Jatropha Curcas grows on a
wide range of climates and soils. Jatropha plant be established
on degraded, gravelly, sandy or loamy soil with adequate
nutrient content. Being a species of arid and semi-arid
tropics, it survives even on areas receiving very low rainfall.
Jatropha Curcas is highly adaptable species and its strength
as a crop comes from its ability to grow on poor and dry
sites.
