Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Lamiales
Species:
portoricensis
ID:
782722

Status:
valid

Authors:
Britton

Source:
iplants

Year:
1916

Citation Micro:
Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 43: 457 (1916)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000782055



Common Names

  • Cupa Portoricensis
  • Calabash Tree
  • Calabazilla Portoricensis


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Description

Crescentia portoricensis (also called Calabash Tree, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the family Bignoniaceae. It is native to Mexico and Central America. It is a small to medium-sized tree, growing up to 8 m tall. It has large, leathery leaves and large, woody fruits that are edible when ripe.

Uses & Benefits

Crescentia portoricensis is used as a traditional medicine to treat fever, diarrhea, and rheumatism. It is also used as a dye for fabrics and as a fuel for cooking.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Crescentia portoricensis has large, yellow flowers with five petals. The seeds are small, black, and round. The seedlings are small, with oval-shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Crescentia portoricensis is a tropical evergreen shrub that grows in full sun to partial shade. It can be propagated from cuttings or by division. Cuttings should be taken in spring or summer and planted in a moist, well-draining soil. Division of the root ball can be done in spring or autumn. Plant the divisions in a well-draining soil and water regularly.

Where to Find Crescentia portoricensis

Crescentia portoricensis is native to Mexico and can be found in tropical and subtropical dry forests.

Crescentia portoricensis FAQ

What is the scientific name of Crescentia portoricensis?

Crescentia portoricensis

What is the common name of Crescentia portoricensis?

Porto Rican Crescentia

What is the natural habitat of Crescentia portoricensis?

Tropical and subtropical moist forests

Species in the Bignoniaceae family

Adenocalymma neoflavidum, Adenocalymma pseudopatulum, Adenocalymma acutissimum, Adenocalymma apparicianum, Adenocalymma apurense, Adenocalymma arthropetiolatum, Adenocalymma bracteatum, Adenocalymma bracteolatum, Adenocalymma bullatum, Adenocalymma calderonii, Adenocalymma chocoense, Adenocalymma coriaceum, Adenocalymma cymbalum, Adenocalymma dichilum, Adenocalymma divaricatum, Adenocalymma dugandii, Adenocalymma dusenii, Adenocalymma flavum, Adenocalymma fruticosum, Adenocalymma gracielzae, Adenocalymma hatschbachii, Adenocalymma heterophyllum, Adenocalymma hirtum, Adenocalymma hypostictum, Adenocalymma impressum, Adenocalymma inundatum, Adenocalymma macrophyllum, Adenocalymma magdalenense, Adenocalymma magnificum, Adenocalymma marginatum, Adenocalymma nervosum, Adenocalymma paulistarum, Adenocalymma prancei, Adenocalymma salmoneum, Adenocalymma saulense, Adenocalymma scabriusculum, Adenocalymma scansile, Adenocalymma sousae, Adenocalymma subincanum, Adenocalymma subsessilifolium, Adenocalymma subspicatum, Adenocalymma tephrinocalyx, Adenocalymma ternatum, Adenocalymma trifoliatum, Adenocalymma ubatubense, Adenocalymma uleanum, Adenocalymma cladotrichum, Adenocalymma reticulatum, Adenocalymma velutinum, Adenocalymma adenophorum,

References

Nathaniel Lord Britton (1859-1934): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Britton' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:69423-2: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].