Petroleum Plantations for Fuel and Materials

Abstract

Certain plants rich in hydrocarbon-like materials might be cultivated for renewable photosynthetic products, mostly isoprenoids. Two species were selected for experimental plantations in 1977: Euphorbia lathyris, an annual from seed, and Euphorbia tirucalli, a perennial from cuttings. The yield from each is more than 10 barrels of oil/acre/year without genetic or agronomic improvement.