Calabash tree
Crescentia cujete
About
Crescentia cujete, commonly known as the calabash tree, is a species of flowering plant. It is a medium-sized tree in the trumpet vine family Bignoniaceae native to the Americas, and which is grown in Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America, South America, the West Indies and extreme southern Florida. It is the national tree of St. Lucia. It is a dicotyledonous plant with simple leaves, which are alternate or in fascicles (clusters) on short shoots. Its fruit is up to 30 cm (12 in) long by 25 cm (9.8 in) wide. According to Bailey, it can occasionally be 45–50 cm (18–20 in) wide. It is naturalized in India. The tree shares its common name with that of the vine calabash, or bottle gourd.
- Family
- Bignoniaceae
How to use it
The calabash tree is valued for its large, hard fruit, which is often used to make bowls, cups, and musical instruments. The fruit's shell can be carved and polished, making it a popular choice for artisans. Additionally, the tree itself can provide shade and beauty in gardens and parks.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
In the kitchen
The fruit of the calabash tree is not typically eaten by humans. Instead, it is often used to create utensils and musical instruments due to its hard shell. So, while you won't find it on your dinner plate, it certainly has a place in crafts and culture!
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Ecology
How it lives
- Propagated by
- Seed
Full detailsevery field on the record, to copy
- Name
- Crescentia cujete
- Slug
- crescentia-cujete
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Family
- Bignoniaceae
- Genus
- Crescentia
- Species
- cujete
- Wikidata QID
- Q214542
- Propagule type
- seed
- Container suitable
- No
- Indoor suitable
- No
- OSSI pledged
- No
- Hazard level
- 1
- Data completeness
- 43
Generated sections & citations
summarywikipedia
fun_facts_kidsllm_openai · confidence 0.80
- wikidata (common_name)
- wikipedia (description.summary) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescentia_cujete
fun_facts_adultllm_openai · confidence 0.80
- wikipedia (description.summary) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescentia_cujete
cookingllm_openai · confidence 0.80
- wikipedia (description.summary) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescentia_cujete
how_to_usellm_openai · confidence 0.80
- wikipedia (description.summary) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescentia_cujete