Jatropha Curcas - Buy 10 Seeds?

Anyone walking in the (sub)tropics and encountering this plant along the way should not think to encounter an edible nut and thus eat a handful (really happened to my colleague). The result is a massive purging session, flatly put: you go down heavily on shit.
In fact, this is a poisonous shrub belonging to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The seeds of the plant yield jatropha oil, which can be used as a biofuel. The shrub grows 5-8 m high in the open ground and has fairly large, ivy-shaped leaves. The fruit of the plant has seeds that can contain 20-40% oil, suitable for biodiesel production.
Full of expectation, plantations were established with this plant. The plant can withstand dry soil and therefore did not seem an immediate competitor to food plantations. However, low oil prices have ruined many investments and many plantations are now on the verge of bankruptcy. On top of this, yields are poor on poor soil, so irrigation and fertilisation are indeed needed.
The plant was used for medicinal purposes in the past. Its Dutch name is derived from purgative, which is a synonym of laxative. The plant used to be made into a laxative, but due to its high toxicity, this is no longer done.
The plant can also be used to poison fish. The poison is in the roots, especially fresh small roots work well. The poison is then harmless to humans, so fish caught with it are edible.
A useful application will surely be found for this fascinating plant in the near future. For now, we sell these seeds mainly to get acquainted with it! Grow the plant in a pot, as it does not tolerate frost, but you can overwinter it cool.

Sowing method

Sowing: year-round, the plant germinates hot and grows compactly under very light conditions. From May-October the plants can be taken outdoors.

Delivery months

all year round