Common Calabash Tree
Crescentia cujete
- Native to:
- Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Palau, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, United States, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © paola292 (iNaturalist #36270204)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Bignoniaceae
- Genus:
- Crescentia
- Species:
- Crescentia cujete
- USDA Symbol:
- CRCU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green, purple
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bats, birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers fertile soils in tropical regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment when fresh. Sow in warm conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Source: npn.rngr.net