Question 1

What is Crescentia cujete used for in Sri Lankan medicine?

Accepted Answer

Crescentia cujete is listed in Sri Lanka's ayurvedic medicinal plant catalogue and is traditionally used to address respiratory complaints such as coughs and asthma, as well as for its mild laxative and anti-inflammatory properties. The fruit pulp is the most commonly employed part in decoctions and preparations. Any use for therapeutic purposes should be guided by a qualified ayurvedic practitioner.

Question 2

What does the calabash tree look like?

Accepted Answer

The calabash tree is a small to medium evergreen tree, typically reaching 8–10 metres in height, with large, spherical, hard-shelled fruits that grow directly from the trunk and main branches. The flowers are pale yellow-green with purple veining and open at night. The unusual growth habit of fruits emerging from the trunk makes it immediately recognisable.

Question 3

Is Crescentia cujete native to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

No, Crescentia cujete originates from tropical regions of the Americas. It has been introduced and naturalised across South and Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, where it has been adopted into traditional ayurvedic practice and home garden cultivation over many generations.

Question 4

What are calabash shells used for?

Accepted Answer

Once the pulp is removed and the hard outer shell is dried, calabash fruits are traditionally used as bowls, ladles, water containers, and musical instruments. This craft use is well-documented across the Caribbean, Latin America, and parts of Asia. In Sri Lanka, the shells may also serve as decorative or functional household items.

Question 5

Where can I see medicinal plants like Crescentia cujete in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, near Kandy, maintain extensive collections of labelled medicinal and tropical plants. Ayurvedic wellness centres across the island often cultivate such species in their grounds. Village herb walks in areas like the Sinharaja buffer zone offer guided encounters with Sri Lanka's living botanical traditions.

Question 6

Is Crescentia cujete the same as a gourd or bottle gourd?

Accepted Answer

No, despite similarities in how their shells are used, Crescentia cujete is a tree in the Bignoniaceae family, unrelated to bottle gourds (Lagenaria siceraria), which are climbing plants in the Cucurbitaceae family. The calabash tree's fruits are true botanical berries with a hardened woody rind.

Question 7

Is the calabash tree safe to grow in Sri Lankan gardens?

Accepted Answer

Crescentia cujete is widely cultivated in tropical home gardens and poses no documented invasive risk in Sri Lanka at scale. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for both wet and dry zone gardens. The fruit pulp is not typically eaten fresh and should not be consumed without guidance.