Looking for an extraordinary tree to add to your garden? The Crescentia cujete, also known as the Pumpkin Tree, It is a very special tree with many unique qualities. This tree is native to the American tropics and subtropics, but is also found in parts of Africa and Asia.
It is a tropical plant which adapts to the coast, the tropics and is damaged by frost. It can grow in poor soils, but does best in well-drained and fertile soils. Also, it can tolerate quite dry periods.
As for the name Crescentia, it was awarded by a scholar of medicine and natural sciences, 18th century Italian, Pietro de Crescenzi (1233-1321) also known as Pier Crescenzio, who wrote an important treatise on agronomy.
Characteristics of the Crescentia cujete
The Crescentia cujete is a small to medium sized tree, reaching a height of up to 5 meters. It has an open, wide crown and a crown of large, shiny, deep green leaves.
It also produces beautiful white or pink flowers and large spherical fruits. Both flowers and fruits are born on short, thick peduncles. The fruits, called "pumpkins", are known for their smooth, hard skin and their ringed, almost spherical shape. They can measure 15 centimeters in diameter.
Other names of the Crescentia cujete
Crescentia cujete is commonly known by other names and has been mentioned in various cultures and languages. In English-speaking countries, it is called Calabash Tree.
In Spanish-speaking countries, it is known as the Totumo Tree. It is also called Calabaza or Totumo in some African countries. In some parts of Asia, it is called Kalam Tree, while in Africa, it is sometimes called the Kubbaye Tree.
Other common names of this plant are pumpkin tree pumpkin, coite, cuieira, cuité, citronona güira, guacal, guira de spoon, maraca, palo de huacal, tapara, taparito, totumo (Spanish);
- In Peru: wingo or pate
- Cuba and Mexico: (the tree is called jícaro), or jícara
- Nicaragua and Costa Rica: (the tree is called jícaro)
- Venezuela: totuma or tapara
- Colombia: totuma or totumo
- Panama: pumpkin
- Dominican Republic: fig tree
- Guadeloupe: calbasse
- Honduras: gourd
- Guatemala: morro
- Brazil: cujeté
The fruit of Crescentia cujete
The fruit of the Crescentia cujete is the most famous part of the tree, and is both delicious and nutritious. It is actually a berry with a slightly pointed spherical shape, between 15 and 30 cm in diameter. At first it is green, then yellow and when ripe it turns brown.
Its skin is very hard and waxy, It contains seeds that are 2 to 3 centimeters long, and there are often one to three seeds per fruit. It contains a gelatinous pulp with a musky odor and orange color. The seeds are two to three centimeters long and there are often one to three seeds per fruit.
The skin is very hard and smooth, and is usually used to make bowls, utensils and other decorative objects. Because the fruit is spongy, it is very similar to cotton candy. It has a sweet flavor and is very refreshing, making it a great snack on hot days. The fruit is also used to make desserts, juices and other culinary delights.
Timber
Crescentia cujete wood is also highly prized and used for many different purposes. It has a beautiful reddish brown color with a wide variety of grains and is very hard and durable.
Wood is often used to make small objects such as utensils, figurines and decorative boxes,yes as furniture, musical instruments and carving blocks. The wood is also appreciated by carvers and other artists.
In Mexico they use the shell to make small pots for serving or drinking. This tree was widely used in customs and rituals by indigenous people.
Also well known in pre-Columbian times, used for its resistant nature to make containers to place liquids, make cups, plates, spoons, musical instruments such as maracas and other different highly decorated craft items.
In West Africa they also used it for decoration and make musical instruments.
Leaves of Crescentia cujete
The leaves of Crescentia cujete are large and wide, with an intense and lush green color. They have a shiny, semi-woody texture.
They are oval in shape, but they taper towards the ends, can be 6 to 25 cm long and are found grouped near the ends of the branches.
The stems can be between 5 and 25 cm long. The leaves are also an excellent source of shade and are often used by people to protect themselves from the sun.
The flowers are solitary, emerging directly on the trunk and located along the branches. They are approximately green in color and are 4 to 6 cm in diameter with five triangular lobes.
It is a kind of yellowish green fringe with violet streaks, They open at night and have an aroma that is considered quite unpleasant. and pollination occurs by some bats.
Medicinal uses of the pumpkin tree
The seeds are very rich in protein, they are edible, and when dried they are ground and refreshing drinks can be prepared.
They were used by indigenous populations for having medicinal benefits. and it has also been introduced in other countries for some time to cure various pathologies.
Although the great toxicity of the pulp must be taken into account, which was found to have carcinogenic activity. Recent studies have highlighted that It has bioactive compounds of possible interest in the official pharmacopoeia.
The pulp of the fruit is astringent, expectorant and laxative.
You can prepare a syrup made from the pulp that is a very popular remedy for colds. Also, the fruit juice can treat pneumonia, diarrhea, and intestinal irregularities.
The leaves are astringent and purgative; they can also be chewed to soothe toothache. The bark and stem have antimicrobial activity.
Finally, Crescentia cujete is an excellent tree for both gardens and natural environments. It is very easy to care for and requires little to no maintenance.
Its beautiful foliage, flowers and fruits make it an attractive addition to any landscape. Its wood is highly appreciated and its leaves are an excellent source of shade. If you are looking for a unique tree for your garden or a source of wood and shade, the Crescentia cujete is the perfect choice