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JATROPHA CURCAS - PHYSIC NUT Common namesArandi, physic nut, Barbados nut, purging nut, pignon d'inde, kuikui pake, jarak pagar, bakrenda, yu lu tzu, habel meluk, biodiesel tree, purgeernoot, médicinier, noix de medicine, bhagrenda, purgiernusz, kattamanakku, tuba tuba, frailejón, piñón, piñón blanco, ba dau me, fagiola d'India, mundubi assu, yu lu tzu, big-purge nut, tubang-bakod, pinhão de Purga, pinhão de paraguai. Family Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family). Overview Jatropha curcas is a tree native to Central America and the Caribbean region and growing also in Suriname. Physic nut is a drought resistant shrub or small tree with a gray bark that grows up to 20' tall (under favorable conditions) with spreading branches. It has yellow-green flowers and large heart -shaped (pale) green leaves, arranged alternately. The inflorescence is formed in the leaf axel; flowers are formed terminally, individually, with female flowers usually slightly larger. There are male - and female plants of this plant and pollination is done by insects (bees). The seed pod (a three, bi-valved cocci) contains 2 - or 3 large black, oily seeds. These seeds, about 2½ cm. long, become mature when the fruit changes from green to yellow. 
The black, thin shelled seeds are considered toxic; they contain the toxalbumin curcin and this makes them fatally toxic; there are however non toxic varieties.Roasting the seeds though seems to kill the toxic. However, they also contain a high percentage of clean oil used for candles, soap and biofuel production. Physic nut has insecticidal - and fungicidal properties; it has latex that contains an alkaloid (jatrophine) which shows anti-cancerous properties. The constituents are: alkaloids, tannins, sapogenins, ethereal oils, toxalbumins and cyanogenic compounds. Caution is advised when using physic nut! 
When properly irrigated, it procedures seeds during almost the whole year (in tropical regions with high humidity).In drier regions there are 2 peaks in seed production. The seeds contain about 37% of this non edible oil; it is used in the production of biodiesel (see also bio-diesel production in Suriname). Suriname's traditional medicine The leaves of this plant are used against stomachache; when diagnosed in children: boiled leaves for conditions of the gums and throat; tea of the leaves for stoppage of urine, constipation, backache and inflammation of ovaries. Visit our: Biodiesel - and Tincture page for more information on Jatropha for fuel manufacturing and medicinal applications! Hardiness USDA zone 9 - 11. Propagation Seeds and cuttings. The seeds germinate easy (7 - 14 days) in organic mix soil with good moisture. 
The high quality viable seeds we sell have a germination rate of 90% or higher.The seeds stay viable for up to 12 months but the germination rate may drop to 80% after 6 months. Culture Full sun, well drained soils but grows on almost any soil, such as sandy - saline. It does not need much water; is resistant to long periods of drought and can withstand short spells of light frost. The tree may produce for over 35 years. |