Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 18, 2026

Crescentia

Crescentia is a genus of six species of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae, native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. The species are moderate-size trees growing to 10 m (35 ft) tall, and producing large spherical fruits, with a thin, hard shell and soft pulp, up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter.

Last revised
Jun 18, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
207 w
Citations
8
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Crescentia
Crescentia cujete
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Bignoniaceae
Clade: Crescentiina
Clade: Tabebuia alliance
Tribe: Crescentieae
Genus: Crescentia
L. (1753)
Species1

six; see text

Synonyms1
  • Cuiete Mill. (1754)
  • Daubentona Buc'hoz (1783)
  • Pteromischus Pichon (1945 publ. 1946)

Crescentia (calabash tree, huingo, krabasi, or kalebas) is a genus of six species2 of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae, native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America.1 The species are moderate-size trees growing to 10 m (35 ft) tall, and producing large spherical fruits, with a thin, hard shell and soft pulp,3 up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter.4

Uses

The hard shell can be used for containers, scoops, cups etc.3

Species

Six species are accepted.1

References

References

  1. Crescentia L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  2. "Crescentia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Archived from the original on 2013-03-27. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  3. "Crescentia cujete (Huingo)". Rainforest Conservation Fund. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  4. "Calabash Tree Fruit". Mission to Belize. Archived from the original on 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
External links