Synonyms

Crescentia acuminata Kunth, Crescentia arborea Raf.

Systematic Position

Kingdom:  Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Lamiales

Family: Bignoniaceae

Native: Tropical America

Common Names

English – Calabash

Malayalam –  കമണ്ഡലു മരം

Description:
Small tree with a crooked growth form, much-branched, grow up to 10m tall. Bark is fissured and grey in color. Green leaves are alternately arranged, about 4 – 26 cm long and 1 – 7.5 cm wide. Flowers are yellow in color and are tubular. Flowers are solitary or sometimes paired and about 5cm long with a musty fragrance. Fruit is large, green globular berry with about 13 – 20cm long and about 30cm wide. They are born on the trunk and branches. Seeds are flat that are embedded in the pulp.  Fruit wall is very hard and woody.

Habitat:  Dry lowlands

Distribution: Originating from tropical America, now widely distributed in the tropics.

Uses: Traditional medicine,

Others: Calabash is primarily used to make utensils such as cups, bowls, and basins in rural areas.