African Calabash

The African Calabash, often referred to by its scientific name Crescentia cujete, is a remarkable plant that holds significant cultural, practical, and ecological value. Native to tropical regions of the Americas, it has been widely adopted and cherished across Africa for centuries.

Tree Characteristics:

• Size: The Calabash tree is typically small to medium-sized, growing between 10-15 meters (30-50 feet) tall.
• Leaves: It has a rounded crown with dense, glossy green leaves that provide ample shade.
• Fruits: The tree produces large, spherical or oval-shaped fruits that can reach up to 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter. These fruits have a hard, woody shell that matures to a light brown or gray color.
• Growing Conditions: Requiring bright indirect light. It prefers high humidity and regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
• Propagation: Aechmea gamosepala can be propagated through offsets (pups) that grow from the base of the mother plant.
• Care: Like other bromeliads, it benefits from occasional misting of its leaves to simulate its natural habitat’s humidity levels.
• Lifespan: After flowering, the mother plant will gradually decline, but it typically produces offsets that can continue the cycle of growth and flowering.