Species of Crescentia are defined entirely by vegetative characters and differences in fruit size. Even the most distantly related species (e.g. Crescentia alata and Crescentia cujete) are interfertile. Nevertheless these plants tend to form dense aggregations of homogeneous morphotypes where they occur, and taxonomic recognition of different-appearing ecologically differentiated dominants seems in order despite the tenuous nature of their reproductive barriers and distinguishing characters[].

Common Name: Jicaro

General Information

Crescentia alata is a low-growing tree with an open, rounded or spreading crown; it usually grows around 8 metres tall, occasionally reaching a height of 12 metres. The short bole can be 25 - 50cm in diameter[, ].
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[]. The tree is cultivated as an ornamental, and is also grown for timber[, ].
Crescentia alata has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

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[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bats
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, 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[].
Grows best in a deep, well-drained soil of moderate fertility[]. Established plants have a good resistance to drought[].
Young plants are fast-growing and establish well[].
The flowers have a musky aroma[].

Edible Uses

A refreshing drink is prepared using the ground seeds, mixed with other ingredients[, , ]. 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'[].

A bland, relatively stable oil is obtained from the seeds[].

The fruits are sometimes eaten or made into a drink[].

Medicinal

The fruit is pectoral[]. The pulp is used particularly in the treatment of colds, chest complaints, and for diseases of the kidneys[, , ].

A decoction of the leaves is employed as an astringent and antihemorrhagic[]. It is much used in the treatment of haemoptysis and dysentery[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is sometimes grown to provide shade in plantations, where it enriches the soil with its leaf-fall[].
The extensive root system makes this plant of value in soil stabilization projects[].

Other Uses

The fruit have woody shells which can be used to make cups, containers etc[, ]. The shells are smaller and not as good suitable for the production of bowls as the shells obtained from the calabash tree (Crescentia cujete)[]. 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[]. 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[].

A black dye is obtained from the fruit[].

A decoction of the leaves is said to promote the growth of hair[].

The heartwood is light brown; the sapwood is a pinkish to a reddish-brown. The wood is hard[]. It is used locally for making wagons and other articles[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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