Skip to content

Jicaro

Crescentia Alata

Design with this plant

Overview

Crescentia alata, or Jicaro, is a small, drought-tolerant tree native to Central America. Typically reaching 15-20 ft in height, it features a distinctive round canopy. Glossy, lime-green leaves contrast with round, gourd-like fruit hanging on long stalks. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Requires minimal care, making it a unique and low-maintenance choice for warm climate landscapes. Its unusual silhouette creates visual interest year-round.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 4–11Type TreeClimate Temperate
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — but it also bears cultural significance; a phenomenon known as cauliflory, image 117

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
4–11

Shape & size

Mature height
30–35 Ft.

Classification

Type
Tree
Family
Bignoniaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (142)

Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — Its fruit is traditionally used to make containers and utensils
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — but it also bears cultural significance; a phenomenon known as cauliflory
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — but it also bears cultural significance; a phenomenon known as cauliflory, image 92
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — When selecting the Jicaro for a landscape; requires minimal care, making it a unique and low-maintenance choice for, image 119
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — also known by its scientific name Crescentia alata
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — is an intriguing and multifaceted addition to any landscape design; glossy, lime-green leaves contrast with round, gourd-like fruit
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — Prefers full sun and well-drained soil
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; tree for full or half, image 54
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — native to Central America
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — making it a conversation piece that is both functional and exotic; crescentia alata, or Jicaro, is a small, drought-tolerant tree
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — with a canopy spread almost equal to its height
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — Glossy, lime-green leaves contrast with round, gourd-like fruit hanging on long stalks; its fruit is traditionally used, image 78
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — also known by its scientific name Crescentia alata; and minimal maintenance requirements, image 82
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — with a canopy spread almost equal to its height; its unusual silhouette creates visual interest year-round, image 87
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — Glossy, lime-green leaves contrast with round, gourd-like fruit hanging on long stalks
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — Requires minimal care, making it a unique and low-maintenance choice for warm climate landscapes; also known by its, image 105
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — distinctive fruiting habit; with a canopy spread almost equal to its height, image 95
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — tree for full or half; making it a conversation piece that is both functional and exotic, image 75
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — white flowers in the garden; is an intriguing and multifaceted addition to any landscape design
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — also known by its scientific name Crescentia alata; and minimal maintenance requirements
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — spherical fruit that grow directly on the trunk and main branches; typically reaching 15-20 ft in height, it features a, image 115
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — Its unusual silhouette creates visual interest year-round; this resilient tree thrives in various soil types, although, image 81
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — This resilient tree thrives in various soil types, although it prefers well-draining ground; distinctive fruiting habit, image 64
Jicaro (Crescentia Alata) — and minimal maintenance requirements; when selecting the Jicaro for a landscape, image 96
Photographs by 13 contributors

Related plants