Family: Bignoniaceae
Common names: Calabash tree, Beggar’s bowl, Gourd tree, Jicaro, Totumo, Crescentia
I saw a bowl made out of the fruit of this tree, even before I saw the tree. A friend in Delhi gifted us that bowl and I marvelled at the fruit that would have produced that beautiful, smooth, polished bowl.
We have a couple of small Calabash trees in our apartment, and the most frequently asked question was if the fruits were edible. The answer is ‘No, they are not’.
And then I saw a fully grown tree when I went for a Medicinal plant walk at The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU) in Bangalore. It was a true beauty to behold with it’s numerous plump strong fruits, and flowers growing directly on the thick stem.
Tree Characteristics
The Calabash tree is native to Central and South America and the Caribbean, but is now grown in tropical countries all over the world.
It grows naturally in warm, tropical lowlands where the weather is hot and humid, and it is commonly seen in open fields, along roadsides, and in village gardens.
The Calabash tree is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that usually grows between 8 and 10 meters tall, with a broad, spreading crown that can reach about 6 to 8 meters wide.
It often has a short trunk with rough, grayish-brown bark and many low, twisting branches that give it a slightly irregular, wide shape.
Its leaves are bright green with very unique shapes, sometimes with a rounded tip, sometimes with a pointy tip, sometimes have multiple leaflets from the main leaf, and sometimes growing as rosettes directly on the stem.
They are usually about 5 to 15 centimeters long, but could become longer with leaflets. They often grow in clusters along the branches, sometimes directly from the trunk. In dry periods, the tree may shed some leaves but generally remains green in warm climates.
One of the most unusual and attractive features of the Calabash tree is its flowers and fruits. The flowers grow directly from the trunk and older branches, a habit known as cauliflory.
They are tubular, about 5 to 7 centimeters long, greenish-yellow with purple or reddish veins, and often open at night.
Calabash tree fruits are large, round, gourds with very hard shells, that can measure 15 to 30 centimeters in diameter. They are green at first and turn dull brown as they mature, with a woody outer shell and soft pulp inside.
Gardening Tips
The Calabash tree thrives in full sun and needs a warm climate to grow well. It prefers temperatures that stay above 15°C and does not tolerate frost. Plant it in a spot that receives direct sunlight for most of the day, as shade can reduce flowering and fruiting.
It grows best in well-drained soil but is quite adaptable and can handle sandy, loamy, or slightly clay soils. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant, though young trees should be watered regularly to help them develop a strong root system. Avoid waterlogged soil, as this can lead to root problems.
Give the tree enough space to spread, at least 6 meters away from buildings or other large plants. Pruning is usually minimal, mainly to shape the canopy or remove dead or crossing branches.
Light feeding with compost or a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year encourages steady growth and healthy foliage. It is generally resistant to serious pests, though occasional scale insects or caterpillars may appear.
Uses of Calabash tree
The Calabash tree is best known for its hard-shelled fruits, which are traditionally used to make bowls, cups, containers, musical instruments, and decorative items.
When the pulp is removed and the shell is dried, it becomes very strong and durable, used for making bowls that are used for decorative purposes, and also to carry food, fish, and other household items.
Different parts of the tree have been used in the treatment of cough, cold, pneumonia, stomach ailments, wounds, toothpain, bleeding, ear pain, lung diseases and host of other diseases. The tree is very valuable in traditional herbal medicine in different parts of the world.
The fruits can be pickled and eaten, though it has to be eaten with expert advise since parts of the plant have toxicity. The seeds and fruit pulp are used in preparing beverages, soups, and syrups.
Ornamentally, the tree is valued for its unusual habit of bearing large round fruits directly on the trunk, which makes it a conversation piece in gardens and parks.
It also provides shade and can be planted as a small landscape tree in tropical and subtropical regions. Ecologically, its flowers attract bats and insects, which help with pollination.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Fresh seeds taken from ripe fruits germinate best when cleaned and planted in warm, moist soil, while semi-hardwood cuttings can also root successfully in humid conditions with regular watering.
Photographed at: Sobha Petunia, Bangalore; The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore
