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Crescentia

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Crescentia
Crescentia cujete
Scientific classification Edit this 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]
  • Cuiete Mill. (1754)
  • Daubentona Buc'hoz (1783)
  • Pteromischus Pichon (1945 publ. 1946)

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

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The fruit pulp is used traditionally for respiratory problems.[5] The hard shell can be used for containers, scoops, cups etc.[3]

Species

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Six species are accepted.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Crescentia L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Crescentia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Archived from the original on 2013-03-27. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  3. ^ a b "Crescentia cujete (Huingo)". Rainforest Conservation Fund. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  4. ^ "Calabash Tree Fruit". Mission to Belize. Archived from the original on 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  5. ^ "Calabash tree". Tropilab. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
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