Savannah black calabash
Amphitecna latifolia

Family: Bignoniaceae

What it is like

An upright tree. It is small and evergreen. It can grow 10 m high. The trunk often forks near the ground. The leaves are dark green and 18 cm long. They are alternate and simple. The flowers are tube shaped and 5 cm long. They are purplish white. The fruit are smooth and shiny green. They are 10 cm long. They have several 1.5 cm long black seeds in white pulp. The seeds are edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It suits hardiness zones 10-11. It can grow in part shade or full sun. It is tolerant to drought and also to some salt. It often grows near mangroves.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Hispaniola, Honduras, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Puerto Rico, South America, Trinidad, USA, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten. They are also made into a drink like cocoa.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed, cuttings or air-layering.

Its other names

Local names

Ajonocht, Bache marron, Calabacito, Calabasillo, Calebasse, Calebasse bitard, Demar naba, Jicarita, Jicaro, Kalbas mawon, Maguira, Otumillo, Totumillo, Tutumeo

Synonyms

Amphitecna obovata (Benth.) L. O. Williams; Crescentia coriacea Miers; Crescentia cucurbita L.; Crescentia cuspidata Miers; Crescentia elongata Miers; Crescentia latifolia Lam.; Crescentia latifolia Mill.; Crescentia lethifera Tussac; Crescentia obovata Benth.; Crescentia palustris Forsyth ex Seem.; Crescentia toxicaria Tussac; Dendrosicus latifolius (Mill.) A.H.Gentry; Dendrosicus saxatilis Raf.; Enallagma cucurbitina (L.) Baill. ex Schum.; Enallagma latifolia (Mill.) Small; Enallagma obovata (Benth.) Baill. ex K.Schum.;