jatropha seeds

What do they look like when they are ready to be taken?.Will they open on the plant?Can I replant the seeds right away? Please give me some guidance,thanks Don

hello, I did a quick google search and came up with this, hope it helps.
http://www.jatrophaseeds.com/jatropha_seeds.htm

Connie

Where did you get your seeds from ?
I found this on Dogpile another search engine I use
http://www.dogpile.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jatropha
http://www.jatrophabiodiesel.org/

about 1/2 way down page
http://www.plantanswers.com/garden_column/april3/april3questions.htm
QUESTION: I am trying to get more information about the jatropha plant. Can it be planted in the ground and winter over in Harris County (Houston), Texas? Does it die back to the roots or just lose its' leaves? I have seen them planted as shrubs at Moody Gardens in Galveston. Are they considered perennials? What is the best way to care for them, i.e. fertilizing, pruning, etc.

ANSWER: The genus Jatropha includes more than 100 different tropical perennials. I am not familiar with any of them but am sure that you will have to treat it as any other perennial that is not winter hardy in your area. Mulch over the root zone heavily and expect it to freeze to the ground. It may, or may not, come back from its roots after being subjected to freezing temperatures. The following information is from Botanica on CDRom:

Jatropha; Family name: Euphorbiaceae

This genus consists of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, small trees and herbs. Originating in warm-temperate and tropical regions of Asia and the Americas, the plants have a distinctive milky sap and are grown primarily for the unusual, large, deeply divided leaves which can have 5 lobes. The flowers may be yellow, purple or scarlet, and male and female flowers are generally borne on separate plants; they are not especially ornamental. Because of their strong sculptural form, some Jatropha species are often cultivated as part of a collection of succulents, although they are not related.

Hardiness zone from 10 To 12; Plant Spread approx. 180 cm; Plant Height From approx. 180 To 600 cm; Flowering colors: Purple, Red, Scarlet, Yellow; Garden type: Dry Garden, Tropical; Position: Sunny, Semi-Shaded; Propagation season: Spring; Soil: Medium Loam.

Jatropha Cultivation: They do best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade, and need fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Propagation is from seed or cuttings in spring.

Which jatropha are you referring to. I have multifida and integerrima.
In both cases, I just let them ripen on the bush until they appear ready to pop.
They germinate fairly easily. My multifida is full of pods right now.