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Useful Tropical Plants

Crescentia alata

Kunth

Bignoniaceae

+ Synonyms

Crescentia ternata Sessé & Moc.

Crescentia trifolia Blanco

Otophora paradoxa Blume

Parmentiera alata (Kunth) Miers

Pteromischus alatus (Kunth) Pichon

Common Name: Jicaro

Crescentia alata
Flowers and buds are produced on the trunk and branches
Photograph by: jayeshpatil912
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
Crescentia alata Crescentia alata Crescentia alata Crescentia alata Crescentia alata Crescentia alata Crescentia alata Crescentia alata

General Information

Crescentia alata is a low-growing tree with a rounded or spreading crown, rarely reaching a height of 12 metres[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. The short bole is up to 50cm in diameter[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
The fruits are commonly gathered from the wild and used to make containers, cups etc. Of distinctive appearance, they are often offered for sale entire in Guatemalan markets remote from places where the trees grow naturally, to be used in household medicine[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. The tree is cultivated as an ornamental, and is also grown for timber[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
,
1535
Title
Establishment, growth and biomass production of 10 tree woody species introduced for reforestation and ecological re
Publication
Forest Ecology and Management xxx (2006) xxx–xxx
Author
Foroughbakhch R. et al
Website
http://10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.012
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/

Range

Central America - Costa Rica to Mexico.

Habitat

Common or abundant on essentially dry but at seasons often very wet plains and hillsides, at elevations up to 1,200 metres[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitTree
Height10.00 m
Growth RateFast
PollinatorsBats
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Crescentia alata is native to the tropics of Central America, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It is said to grow best in areas where the mean daily temperature can range between 18 - 29°c, and the mean annual rainfall between 400 - 900mm[
1535
Title
Establishment, growth and biomass production of 10 tree woody species introduced for reforestation and ecological re
Publication
Forest Ecology and Management xxx (2006) xxx–xxx
Author
Foroughbakhch R. et al
Website
http://10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.012
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
Grows best in a deep, well-drained soil of moderate fertility[
1535
Title
Establishment, growth and biomass production of 10 tree woody species introduced for reforestation and ecological re
Publication
Forest Ecology and Management xxx (2006) xxx–xxx
Author
Foroughbakhch R. et al
Website
http://10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.012
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. Established plants have a good resistance to drought[
1535
Title
Establishment, growth and biomass production of 10 tree woody species introduced for reforestation and ecological re
Publication
Forest Ecology and Management xxx (2006) xxx–xxx
Author
Foroughbakhch R. et al
Website
http://10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.012
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
Young plants are fast-growing and establish well[
1535
Title
Establishment, growth and biomass production of 10 tree woody species introduced for reforestation and ecological re
Publication
Forest Ecology and Management xxx (2006) xxx–xxx
Author
Foroughbakhch R. et al
Website
http://10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.012
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Edible Uses

A refreshing drink is prepared using the ground seeds, mixed with other ingredients[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
,
411
Title
Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
Author
Standley P.C.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution; Washington
Year
1926
ISBN
 
Description
Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The seeds are mixed with raw rice, roasted pumpkin seeds, lemon peel, sugar, water and ice, and made into a non-alcoholic drink called 'horchata'[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

A bland, relatively stable oil is obtained from the seeds[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

The fruits are sometimes eaten or made into a drink[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

Medicinal

The fruit is pectoral[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. The pulp is used particularly in the treatment of colds, and for diseases of the kidneys[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
,
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].

A decoction of the leaves is employed as an astringent and antihemorrhagic[
345
Title
Minor Products of Philippine Forests
Publication
 
Author
Brown. W. H.
Publisher
Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is much used in the treatment of haemoptysis and dysentery[
345
Title
Minor Products of Philippine Forests
Publication
 
Author
Brown. W. H.
Publisher
Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is sometimes grown to provide shade in plantations, where it enriches the soil with its leaf-fall[
1535
Title
Establishment, growth and biomass production of 10 tree woody species introduced for reforestation and ecological re
Publication
Forest Ecology and Management xxx (2006) xxx–xxx
Author
Foroughbakhch R. et al
Website
http://10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.012
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The extensive root system makes this plant of value in soil stabilization projects[
1535
Title
Establishment, growth and biomass production of 10 tree woody species introduced for reforestation and ecological re
Publication
Forest Ecology and Management xxx (2006) xxx–xxx
Author
Foroughbakhch R. et al
Website
http://10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.012
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Other Uses

The fruit have woody shells which can be used to make cups, containers etc[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. The shells are smaller and not as good suitable for the production of bowls as the shells obtained from C. Cujete[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
]. The shells have a very important use in Guatemala for making drinking cups and various other kinds of containers. A fruit cut in half makes two small cups, one of which is carried by almost every Indian pedestrian, often attached to his waist, as a drinking cup[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. There is said to be in Guatemala a form of this tree that bears exceptionally small fruits, little larger than a hen's egg - these small fruits are often used to fashion spinning tops for children[
331
Title
Flora of Guatemala
Publication
 
Author
Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
Website
http://www.archive.org/
Publisher
 
Year
1946 - 1976
ISBN
 
Description
A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].

A decoction of the leaves is said to promote the growth of hair[
411
Title
Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
Author
Standley P.C.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution; Washington
Year
1926
ISBN
 
Description
Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

The heartwood is light brown; the sapwood is a pinkish to a reddish-brown. The wood is hard[
1535
Title
Establishment, growth and biomass production of 10 tree woody species introduced for reforestation and ecological re
Publication
Forest Ecology and Management xxx (2006) xxx–xxx
Author
Foroughbakhch R. et al
Website
http://10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.012
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. It is used locally for making wagons and other articles[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
411
Title
Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
Author
Standley P.C.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution; Washington
Year
1926
ISBN
 
Description
Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Crescentia+alata>

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