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Music Tree, Gourd Tree, Jicaro Crescenta alata and
Calabash Tree, Cujete Crescenta cujete (not shown) are
easily grown from |
Foliage of the Music Tree is bright shiny |
| Water vessels, pipes and other objects are made from the dried woody gourds of the Music Tree, but the gourds are best known for the "maracas" that are used in the music of Latin America. The Gourds measure from 3 or 4 inches across up to nearly one ft. across in a few larger specimen. The ones shown here were in the 4 to 6 inch range and were scattered about beneath the parent tree by the side of the road in the beautiful country of northern Costa Rica. | |
A tree native to the tropical Americas, of the Bignoniaceae (Bignonia Family) known as Music Tree, Gourd Tree, and in Spanish as - Jicaro. The Music Tree, with short trunk and long spreading branches, will grow to 30 ft. tall and will spread as wide as its height. Its trunk and branches produce clusters of flowers in yellow with a touch of purple. The bright green foliage is short and grows close to the branches. The hard-shelled fruit is bright green turning to yellow, and finally brown after it falls to the ground and dries. After the shells are thoroughly dry, they are used to make the Latin American musical instruments called "maracas."
As is the case with tropical trees generally, Music Tree can be grown in containers indoors during the winter months in cooler climates. Their size is controlled by the size of the container for many decades. The containers can be set outside during the summer at which time the tree should be fed with commercial houseplant food and watered as needed.
The specimens shown above were photographed in the provence of Alajuela in north-central Costa Rica in June of 1999.
Although we show no photograph of the Cujete at this time, we also offer the seeds of this specie.
Both species are winter hardy in zones 9-11, or can be grown as houseplants or greenhouse specimen in cooler climates.
© 1999 Michael King
