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Originating in the
Caribbean, the jatropha
was spread as a valuable
hedge plant to Africa
and Asia by Portuguese
traders. Currently the
tree is widely used as a
poverty reduction
measure in Tamil Nadu,
India. The rail line
between Mumbai and Delhi
is planted with Jatropha
and the train itself
runs on 15-20% biodiesel.
Useful in drought
conditions the trees
provide watershed
restoration,
permaculture, oil for
generators and water
pumps, and compost and
enclosures for
gardening. This method
is called the "Jatropha
System". The mature
small trees bear male
and female
inflorescence, and do
not grow very tall.
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