Calabash Tree

Crescentia cujete

Physical Characteristics

Crescentia cujete is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bats. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Tropical America - Colombia north through Central America to Mexico and most of the Caribbean

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Oil Seed Edible Uses: Coffee Condiment Drink Oil The young fruit is occasionally pickled[ 301 , 307 ]. Considered the equal of pickled walnuts[ 46 ]. The seed can be eaten when cooked[ 46 ]. It is also used to make a beverage[ 307 ]. A syrup and a popular confection called 'carabobo' is made from the seed[ 301 ]. To make the syrup, the seeds are ground finely, mixed with sugar and a little water then boiled[ 301 ]. The roasted seeds, combined with roasted wheat, are used as an aromatic and flavourful coffee substitute[ 301 ]. The leaves are sometimes cooked in soups[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Antidiarrhoeal Astringent Cholagogue Diuretic Dysentery Emetic Emmenagogue Emollient Expectorant Laxative Odontalgic Purgative Vermifuge The pulp (of the fruit?[ K ]) is astringent, emollient, expectorant and laxative[ 46 ]. It is used in domestic medicines[ 46 ]. The fruit is abortifacient, emetic, emmenagogue, purgative and vermifuge[ 348 ]. A syrup made from the pulp of the fruit is a popular remedy for colds[ 331 ]. The juice of the fruit is used to treat diarrhoea, pneumonia and intestinal irregularity. It is made into a strong tea and drunk to procure an abortion, to ease childbirth, and is used in a mix to relieve severe menstrual pains by eliminating blood clots[ 348 ]. A syrup made from the fruit is used to treat consumption[ 348 ]. The leaves are cholagogue, emetic (in larger doses), and purgative[ 348 ]. An infusion is sometimes administered for treating dysentery[ 331 ]. It is boiled with sugar, soft grease or Buckley's white rub to make a syrup that is used to treat colds[ 348 ]. Juice of young leaves is drunk to remedy colds and lung diseases[ 348 ]. The leaf is chewed to treat toothache[ 348 ] The leaves are used as a wash to cleanse dirty wounds[ 348 ]. The whole plant is used as a diuretic against hydropsy and diarrhoea[ 348 ]. The ripe fruit-pulp contains crescentic, tartaric, citric, tannic, chlorogenic and hydrocyanic acids, and may cause abortion in cattle[ 348 ]. The seed oil contains oleic acid[ 348 ]. The stem-bark and leaf show antimicrobial activity[ 348 ]

Known Hazards

The pulp of the fruit is poisonous[ 302 ]. The seeds are poisonous[ 307 ].(Seed is poisonous if ingested Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling Pollen may cause allergic reaction N/A )