Calabash tree is commonly known as Beggar's Bowl tree. Its botanical name is Crescentia cujete that belongs to the family Bignoniaceae. It is native of tropical and subtropical regions of South America. Totally seven species are available in the genus Crescentia, of which Crescentia cujete is cultivated in India and is popular because of its ornamental value.
A release from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) stated that the university has undertaken flowering and fruiting of the rare Calabash tree at the Botanical Gardens located in this university campus.
The Calabash tree is a small evergreen tree which grows up to 10m. It has a straight trunk and this sports an open crown. The bark is light gray and relatively smooth in appearance. The leaves of this tree are narrow at the base however, they flare towards the apex. Flowers are stalked, tubular and they will bear throughout the year, either solitarily or in clusters on older parts of the trunk or larger branches.
Fruits also referred to as gourds and they appear very attractive that mature slowly, remaining on the tree for up to seven months.
This gourd is used as storage containers, bowls, scoops, ladles, ornamental boxes and musical instruments. The fruit pulp is used in folk medicine for respiratory problems such as asthma, laxative, expectorant, anthelmintic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory diseases.