Jatropha curcas L.

Synonyms: Curcas purgans Family: Euphorbiaceae Vernacular/common names: physic nut, ratanjot (Hindi); purging nut (English); pourghre (French); pioncillo (Mexico); te pate (!osta "ica); undubi#assu ($ra%il); &ada ('epal); sabuda ((hailand); t)bang#b*&od (the +hilippines); jara& budeg (,ndonesia); bagani (!-te d.,/oire); dand barr0, habel elu& (1rab); yu#lu#t%u (!hinese); Diversity: ,t is still uncertain 2here the centre o3 origin is, but it is belie/ed to be Mexico and !entral 1 erica4 ,t has been introduced to 13rica and 1sia and is no2 culti/ated 2orld#2ide4 (his highly drought#resistant species is adapted to arid and se i#arid conditions4 (he current distribution sho2s that introduction has been ost success3ul in the drier regions o3 the tropics 2ith annual rain3all o3 566#7666 4 ,t occurs ainly at lo2er altitudes (6#866 ) in areas 2ith a/erage an# nual te peratures 2ell abo/e 96:! but can gro2 at higher altitudes and tolerates slight 3rost4 Jatropha gro2s on 2ell#drained soils 2ith good aeration and is 2ell adapted to arginal soils 2ith lo2 nutrient content4 ,t is not sensiti/e to day length4 Habit: (he drought resistant plant, Jatropha curcas ;4, Euphorbiaceae that can gro2 on lands not suited 3or agriculture and both i pro/e the en/iron ent and supply ra2 aterial 3or local co unities is attracti/e 3or resource#poor 3ar ers4 ;ocally, it is gro2n as a boundary 3ence or li/e hedge and can be used to reclai eroded areas4 Jatropha is not bro2sed4 ,ts lea/es and ste s are toxic to ani als4 $eing rich in nitrogen, the seed ca&e is also an excellent source o3 plant nutrient4 Seed germination: high /iability o3 the seeds 2ith a a co pleted ger ination 2ithin < days4 ean ger ination rate abo/e <= percent and