Jatropha, Biodiesel (Jatropha curcas), packet of 5 seeds

Family:  Spurge (Euphorbiaceae)

(Barbados Nut, Purging Nut, Physic Nut, JCL, Green Diesel)

Tropical woody perennial shrub to small tree to 20 feet, native to the American tropics. Hardy to Zones 10 to 12.  Does excellently in a heated sunroom or greenhouse.   Highly drought-tolerant, this plant can also be grown in tropical wastelands or in the desert.  Containing up to 40% oil, the seeds can be processed to produce biodiesel that will run a standard diesel engine.  This is probably the most highly valued of all green diesel plants.  Seeds are also the source for the toxic molecule known as toxalbumin curcin–internal use not recommended. Also source of an alkaloid known as jatrophine which purportedly has anticancer properties.  External use of the plant for medicinal purposes is well documented.  The latex is used for treating rheumatism and for treating sores on domestic stock, also as an emollient for treating hemorrhoids.  The bark of the plant yields a blue dye.  Plant prefers full sun, high temperatures, little water and very fast-draining (sandy or gravely, even saline) soils.  Germination of these seeds has been confirmed by us.  Sow in spring, or sow warm in a greenhouse and transplant outdoors in the spring.  Yield begins 9 months after planting, and will continue for years, with maximum yields after 2 or 3 year’s growth.

5 seeds per packet, Open-pollinated, untreated, NO GMO’s