A small evergreen tropical tree growing up to a height
 of 8 mtr 25'.
It has a rough bark and simple leaves.
Calabash tree has cauliflorus flowers that appear directly from
nodes on the trunk and branches.
The flowers bloom at night. The fruits develop after pollination by
bats: they are large, up to 35 cm 14' in diameter and globulose with
a hard green woody shell.
Inside there is a pulp that has medicinal applications.
The flat seeds are small and embedded in pulp.
In "Suriname's traditional medicine", the fruit pulp is used for
respiratory problems (asthma).
Propagation: seeds, cuttings.
Culture: full sun, well drained soils; has some salt tolerance. |
