Jatropha curcas Seeds | Tree Biodiesel Fuel
LATIN NAME: Jatropha curcas
COMMON NAME: Physic Nut
Plant Profile
Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas) grows as a spreading, deciduous tree in the spurge family. It likes sun, and deep, well-drained soil. It is the sort of plant that quietly justifies the space it occupies.
Science & Biotechnology
Jatropha curcas sits in the spurge family, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Oil-rich seeds of physic nut hold a recognised place in research on drought-tolerant oil plants of spurge family, and curcas species appears in studies of seed oil chemistry and poor-soil survival. The upshot for anyone sowing it is reassurance — cultivated stock of this plant has a long, well-documented track record.
Uses & Benefits
Physic Nut brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. In warm, dry garden, physic nut oils dry garden with generous harvest. Pressed oil has served lamps, soaps and traditional remedies for generations, plant holds soil on dry banks, and tree makes useful living fence. It thrives in deep, well-drained, sunny ground. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.
Physic nut is a promising biodiesel shrub whose seeds are toxic; it is a biofuel and fence plant, not a food or home remedy.
Growing from Seed
Raising Physic Nut from seed is straightforward. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Within its genus it stands out for garden reliability. Few garden plants carry such a documented history of use as this one does. Established seedlings need little beyond ordinary attention.
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