Jatropha curcas: A potential genetic resource for herbal medicine and liquid bio-fuel

Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a multipurpose perennial shrub/small tree, native to Mexico and Subtropical America, now grows naturally in most tropical areas of the world. It is an underutilized plant of multiple values. It is cultivated for seeds, having liquid biofuel potential and as live fence for the protection of agricultural crops. Various parts of the J. curcas are globally used for healthcare management of plants, human being and domesticated animals. Besides ethnomedicinal usages, this species have much other ethnobotanical, economic and ecological importance. Present book deals with origin and distribution, taxonomic description, propagation and cultivation, utilization, pharmacological activities, phytochemical properties and future prospective of this species.