Winged Calabash Tree, Mexican Calabash, Moro, Jicaro, Cuajilote
Crescentia alata
🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
The fruit pulp is edible, though not widely consumed raw due to its strong taste; it is often used to flavor beverages and traditional dishes. The seeds are also edible when roasted. The hard shell of the fruit is used to make bowls, cups, and other utensils. In permaculture, the tree provides shade, windbreak, and habitat. It is relatively drought-tolerant and can be used in dryland agroforestry systems. No specific cultivars are widely recognized.
Botanical description
Crescentia alata is a small to medium-sized tree reaching up to 8 meters in height. It belongs to the Bignoniaceae family. The leaves are trifoliate, with each leaflet winged, giving the species its name 'alata.' The flowers are bell-shaped, greenish-white to yellowish, and are borne directly on the trunk and branches (cauliflory). The fruit is a hard-shelled gourd, spherical to oval, and about 6-10 cm in diameter. The pulp is fibrous and bitter-sweet. The bark is grayish-brown and smooth when young, becoming more furrowed with age.
Companion planting
Crescentia alata is generally considered to be a beneficial tree to have in a diverse planting system. It can provide shade and wind protection for other plants. It doesn't have any strong known negative interactions, but close proximity to plants that require very acidic soil may be unfavorable as Crescentia alata prefers slightly alkaline to neutral soils.
Propagation methods
Propagation is primarily by seed. Seeds should be scarified or soaked in water prior to sowing to improve germination rates. Cuttings are also possible but less common. Air layering might also be successful, but this method is not frequently practiced.
History and traditions
In Mesoamerica, Crescentia alata has a long history of traditional use. The fruit shells were and still are used for making drinking vessels, particularly for chocolate and atole. The pulp has been used medicinally for various ailments, including respiratory problems and digestive issues. The seeds have also been used as a food source and for medicinal purposes. Different indigenous groups have specific traditional uses and beliefs associated with the tree.
Usage calendar
Flowering occurs throughout the year, with peak flowering during the dry season (typically December to May). Fruits mature several months after flowering and can be harvested when they turn brown and dry. Planting is best done at the beginning of the rainy season to allow the young trees to establish. Pruning is generally not necessary, but can be done to shape the tree or remove dead or damaged branches.