Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
treegourd, calabash tree
Family Name:
Bignoniaceae
Botanical Name:
Crescentia cujete
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The calabash tree is a medium sized broadleaf evergreen tree that can grow to heights of up to 10 m (about 32 ft) (1). Its trunk can be 30-50 cm (12-20 in) in diameter and its greyish brown bark gets more fissured as it matures (1, 2). Its irregular canopy has branches that emerge perpendicular from the trunk and very close to the ground (1, 2). Its leaves are alternately arranged along the stems, simple, spatulate to oblanceolate and without much of a petiole (nearly sessile) (2, 3). Leaves emerge from buds in groups of 2-5, each being different in size ranging from 4-20 cm (3/4 - 8 in) long (2, 3). Flowers, which are brownish yellow, and bloom year-round are cauliflory (they are borne directly from the trunk or the tree’s branches), and emit an unpleasant odor (4). The flowers are a little more than 5 cm (2 in) wide, have a campanulate corolla comprised of 5 flaring lobes that crinkle at the tips and are striated with purple veins on the petals along with the corolla toward the base of the petals (2, 4). Its fruits are elliptical or round berries that have a hard almost woody shell and can be 15-30 cm (6-12 in) in diameter (2, 3). Fruits start off looking green but, when ripe turn yellow and bear brown seeds that are each less than a centimeter (1/2 in) long and wide (2).
Compound:
Cre cuj
Geographic Origin:
Tropical America
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropics
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This tree is native to tropical regions within Central to South America and is especially prominent in Colombia, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Brazil (1). It is widely distributed in countries within Asia, Africa, North America, Europe, and Oceania (3). It resides in elevations from sea level to 1370 m (4500 ft) and grows in coastal scrubs, tropical dry forests, and humid forests (1, 3). Its flowers are often pollinated by bats and are a source of food for them (4). The genus Crescentia is derived from the name of Italian monk, Pietro Crescenti, who was also the author of a botany book named Il libro della agricoltura (5). Its specific epithet is a Brazilian name for the gourd-like fruits that this tree produces (5).
Cultivation Notes:
The calabash tree is best grown in warm tropical climates with temperatures that range from 20-35°C (68-95°F) (3, 4). It is cold hardy to USDA zones 10-12 and cannot tolerate temperatures that consistently stay below 1.7°C (about 35°F) (3). For climates that are outside of those cold hardiness zones, planting this plant in full sun or in a sheltered location may allow it to grow (4). It prefers to be planted in well-drained, and fertile soil but can perform well in any soil with a pH that ranges from 6.6-8.5 (3). This plant has a low risk of being susceptible to pests or diseases (4, 6). Pruning can be used when the tree is young to create a stronger trunk, single bole and fuller canopy. To do this, prune the young branches of this tree so that select scaffold limbs branches are allowed to develop along the length of the trunk (6). It can be propagated by semi-wood cuttings or by seed: seedlings take 10-15 days to germinate (2).
Ethnobotany:
The calabash tree is commonly cultivated as an ornamental in landscapes to be used as living fences, in hedges, or along roads (3). It has also been cultivated for medicinal, commercial, and edible uses in many countries. Despite the pulp being poisonous in high quantities, it does have therapeutic use as a laxative, skin emollient, and astringent (1). Syrups can be made from its fruits are used to treat tuberculosis or colds (1). Juice made from the fruits can also treat intestinal issues or concentrated and used as a tea to ease pain of childbirth or to relieve painful menstrual cramps (1). Its leaves can be brewed as teas to treat colds or pneumonia, to cleanse or treat wounds, and, when chewed, to treat toothaches (1, 5). The fruit of this plant is culturally significant in countries within Latin America and has been an important commodity in trade (1). A very popular drink in Nicaragua known as ‘semilla de jicaro’ can be prepared from its seeds (1). Dried shell from its fruits have been used by artisans to make calabash bowls, cups, utensils, toys and decorative items (1, 3, 7). Oil extracted from its seeds serve as a potential biofuel or cosmetic product (1, 3, 7). This tree has also been cultivated for its hard and durable wood which is used in the construction of boats and for making tools, saddles, and vehicle components (1, 3, 7).
Height:
16 - 20 feet
Width:
16 - 20 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
