Crescentia
| Crescentia | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| 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: | L. (1753) |
| Species[1] | |
| six; see text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
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]
Uses
The fruit pulp is used traditionally for respiratory problems.[5] The hard shell can be used for containers, scoops, cups etc.[3]
Crescentia is a plant with various medicinal uses. Different parts of the tree, including the fruit, leaves, and bark, are used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. Common uses include treating respiratory problems, inflammation, digestive issues, and skin conditions.
Species
Six 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
- ^ 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
Data related to Crescentia at Wikispecies- [1]