Crescentia alata
Content
Description
A crooked tree, 5-14 m, to 25 cm Ø.
Leaves in scattered fascicles on the twigs, with a winged petiole, 2½-H cm;
Flowers 1-2 rami- and cauliflorous;
Fruit with a hard shell, ± globular, 5-10 cm Ø.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Jawa (Jawa); Philippines (Philippines), Guam present, New Britain, Northern America, Rabaul, Southern America: Costa Rica (Costa Rica present)
Mexico to Costa Rica, from Mexico early introduced by the Spaniards via Guam in the Philippines, also in Java (rare) and Rabaul (New Britain).
Uses
The pulp is in Mexico sometimes used as a medicine; the shells are less in demand than those of Crescentia cujete, but used for the same purposes. No fruits seen from Malesia.
Citation
VIDAL 1883: Sinopsis Atlas: 35: t. 73, f. C
H.B.K. 1923 – In: En. Philip.: 447
STANDLEY 1926: Trees Shrubs Mex.: 1324
BLANCO 1878: p. 271. – In: Fl. Filip., ed. 3: t. 327
F.-VILL. 1880: Nov. App.: 151
BACK. & BAKH. f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java: 542
GENTRY 1973 – In: Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard.: 829
DC. 1845 – In: Prod.: 247
H.B.K. 1918: Sp. Blanc.: 350
Merr. 1912: Fl. Manila: 430
Miq. 1859: p. 560. – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: (L)