Crescentia cujete (Calabash, Tabung Kayu)
Botanical Information
| Family | Bignoniaceae |
| Genus | Crescentia |
| Species | cujete |
| Category | Tropicals, Woody |
| Origin | South America |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Tea made from the leaves can be used in the treatment of flu, pneumonia and hypertension. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10b - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 - H1c |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 1.7 - above 4.5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 35 - 40 |
| Height | 10 m |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Small tree with a crooked growth form, low and much-branched, able to grow up to able 10 m tall. |
| Shape | Open Canopy |
| Landscape | Parks and gardens. |
| Propagation | By seed. |
| Cultivation | It can tolerate full sun or partial shade in well drained and fertile soil. |
| Notable Specimens | Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Fissured and grey bark. |
| Leaf Description | Green oblanceolate leaves, alternate arrangement, measuring about 4 - 26 cm long and 1 - 7.5 cm wide, subsessile. |
| Flower Description | Yellow tubular flowers with purple veins, solitary or sometimes paired and about 5 cm long, musty fragrance. |
| Fruit Description | a large, green globular berry about 13 - 20 cm long and up to 30 cm wide, attached to the trunk and branches, contains flat seeds which are embedded in the pulp. |
Photographs
Crescentia cujete, form.
Crescentia cujete, leaf.
Crescentia cujete, fruit.
Crescentia cujete, form, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Crescentia cujete, fruit, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Crescentia cujete, fruit, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Crescentia cujete, fruit, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Crescentia cujete, fruit (2).
Crescentia cujete, bark, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Crescentia cujete, bark, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Crescentia cujete, bark, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.