Crescentia (calabash tree, huingo, krabasi, or kalebas) is a genus of six species[2] of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae, native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America.[1] The species are moderate-size trees growing to 10 m (35 ft) tall, and producing large spherical fruits, with a thin, hard shell and soft pulp,[3] up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter.[4]
| Crescentia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Crescentia cujete | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Bignoniaceae |
| Clade: | Crescentiina |
| Clade: | Tabebuia alliance |
| Tribe: | Crescentieae |
| Genus: | Crescentia L. (1753) |
| Species[1] | |
|
six; see text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Uses
editThe fruit pulp is used traditionally for respiratory problems.[5] The hard shell can be used for containers, scoops, cups etc.[3]
Species
editSix species are accepted.[1]
- Crescentia alata Kunth
- Crescentia amazonica Ducke
- Crescentia cujete L.
- Crescentia linearifolia Miers
- Crescentia mirabilis Eckman ex Urb.
- Crescentia portoricensis Britton
References
edit- ^ a b c d Crescentia L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ "Crescentia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Archived from the original on 2013-03-27. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
- ^ a b "Crescentia cujete (Huingo)". Rainforest Conservation Fund. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
- ^ "Calabash Tree Fruit". Mission to Belize. Archived from the original on 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
- ^ "Calabash tree". Tropilab. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
External links
editWikimedia Commons has media related to Crescentia.
Data related to Crescentia at Wikispecies
- [1]
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