All about Jatropha

A small tree or shrub with smooth gray bark growing between 3 to 5 meters in height, and can attain heights up to 8 to 10 meters under good conditions.

Leaves

Large green, alternate to sub-opposite, three-to five-lobed with spiral phyllotaxis.

Flowers

Petiole length: 6-23 mm. Ion conditions suitable for continuous growth, an imbalance of pistillate or staminate flower production effects better results in a higher number of female flowers.

Fruits

Fruits of Jatropha are produced in winter, when the shrub is relatively leafless, or in case of excellent soil and moisture conditions, may produce several crops throughout the year. Inflorescence yields a 10 or more ovoid fruits.

Seeds

Seeds mature when the capsule changes from green to yellow, after two to four months. To optimize production of seeds with the maximum oil content of up to 42%, care needs to be taken while selecting seeds. Jatropha Curcus seeds are ideally collected from plants aged over 30 years.

Read more here