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Crescentia alata

Accession Count: 3

Common Name: calabash tree

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Family Name: Bignoniaceae

Botanical Name: Crescentia alata

Synonyms:

Botanical Synonyms: Crescentia trifolia

Sub Species:

Variety:

Forma:

Cultivar:

Characteristics: The lustrous dark green leaves of C. alata are 3 to 5 inches long, with a winged petiole. The blade is divided into 3 parts, so that it forms the shape of a cross. The flowers are born directly on the trunk and have 5 petals fused together that are brown and gold in color. Fruits are also formed right on the gray fissured trunk and are 3 inches around, lime-green balls that eventually dry to resemble gourds. (1,3,4)

Compound: Cre ala

Geographic Origin: Mexican Tropics

Ecozone Origin: Neotropic

Biome Origin:

Natural History:

It is believed that the seeds of C. alata were dispersed by large extinct species of herbivores such as the elephant-like Gomphothere and the Ground Sloth. This is because the seeds will not germinate unless the hard shell is broken. After the extinction of the large herbivores, the introduction of horses and cattle that eat the fruit could have restored C. alata to its local ranges. (5)

======================================================================= Natural History of the UA Campus Arboretum Specimen: Warren Jones Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona collected seeds from the western coast of Mexico.

Cultivation Notes: Crescentia alata grows best in well-draining, deep soil. Young plants grow quickly and once established are drought-tolerant (3). Temperatures below 19°F may cause damage (4). This plant needs lots of light and should not be grown in the shade (1).

Ethnobotany:

People of Mexico and Central America use the dried, woody shells of the fruit to make cups, toys, and containers, although the fruits of C. cujute are larger and better for most purposes (1,2,3,4). The fruit pulp is used to treat colds (1,3). The seeds are edible and have a licorice like taste (4). Ground up seeds are occasionally used as an ingredient in horchata (1,3).

Height: 20 - 50 feet

Width: 20 - 50 feet

Growth Rate: Moderate Growing

Grow Season:

Flower Season: Spring

Color: Green

Function: Shade

Spread: Non-spreading

Allergen: Non-allergenic

Invasive: Benign

Toxicity: Benign

Hardy: Semi-hardy