Characteristics of the totumo: botanical and morphological description
The calabash (Crescentia cujete) is a tree belonging to the family bignoniaceae, widely valued in various regions of tropical America for its multiple uses and great adaptability. It is found naturally in Mexico, Central America, and much of South America, inhabiting both lowland regions with warm climates and mid-altitude Andean zones.
It is characterized by its irregular and wide cup, composed of long, spreading branches that bear leaves bright greensThe shade it provides is moderate, allowing grasses and other species to grow around it, making it ideal for silvopastoral systems.
The height of the totumo can vary, reaching between 6 and 9 meters with a trunk diameter that can reach up to 25 cm. The root system is deep, giving it resistance to drought and strength against strong winds. longevity is high, usually exceeding six decades of life and even more if conditions are optimal.
The leaves are evergreen, spatulate, smooth, and leathery, measuring approximately 10 cm long and 2 cm wide. Its evergreen persistence contributes to its ornamental use, as it maintains its foliage year-round.
The flowers, yellow to green with red or purple veins, are campanulate and appear directly on the branches (cauline flowers). They are medium-sized (about 4 cm long and 2 cm wide). The scent of the flowers may not be pleasant to some people, but they are very attractive to various birds, which are directly involved in their pollination.
Totumo fruit: peculiarities and traditional uses
The fruit of the totumo is its most distinctive feature. It is a species of large, rounded berry or oval, covered by a hard, smooth shell Green in color, which later turns brown. Its diameter can vary considerably, usually ranging from 5 to 12 cm, although in some varieties it can reach up to 25 cm.
The inner contents are a fleshy pulp that, when ripe and falling to the ground, ferments, acquiring a dark color, sticky texture, and sweet flavor. This pulp is valued in animal feed, especially for cattle and horses, during times of drought for its nutritional value.
From its dry shell are made crafts, household utensils and traditional containers, as well as musical instruments. The nut's versatility, toughness, and water resistance make it a staple material for the folk culture of many tropical regions.
Natural distribution and ideal habitat
Native to tropical America, the totumo finds its optimal habitat in fertile, well-drained soils with a moderate organic matter content. Its altitudinal range extends from sea level to 2.000 meters above sea level, demonstrating its great ecological breadthPreferred temperatures range between 16 and 27°C, while annual rainfall can range from 600 to 3.500 mm.
This species tolerates nutrient-poor soils, even with poor drainage and occasional exposure to flooding. It prefers clayey to clayey-loam soils, although high salinity can be a limiting factor for its growth. The calabash requires high light, although it adapts to moderate shade and can grow in both humid climates and those with distinct dry seasons.
Taxonomy and classification
- Kingdom: Plant
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopside
- Order: lamiales
- Family: bignoniaceae
- Tribe: Crescentieae
- Gender: Crescentia
- Species: Crescentia cujete
Chemical composition and nutritional value
The totumo has a varied chemical composition, which makes it suitable for agricultural use. The raw pulp of its fruit contains organic acids (hydrocyanic, chlorogenic, citric, citric, tannic, and tranic), quaternary alkaloids, polyphenols, and lipophilic chromophobes. The leaves and stem also contain alkaloids, unsaturated sterols, and polyphenols, while the seeds contain sugars, proteins, and a high percentage of fixed oil, with a composition similar to olive oil (rich in oleic and linoleic acids).
As for the nutritional value100 g of seeds can provide approximately:
- 530 calories
- 3.4 g of water
- 30.2g protein
- 39.7 g fat
- 22.9 g of carbohydrates
- 2.4 g fiber
- 3.8 g of ash
- 50 mg calcium
- 968 mg phosphorus
- 9.4 mg iron
- 20 μg of carotenes
- 0.73 mg of thiamine (B1)
- 0.12 mg of riboflavin (B2)
- 0.9 mg of niacin (B3)
Timber It contains naphthoquinones and is occasionally used for tool handles.
Uses of calabash: agricultural, cultural and medicinal applications
The totumo is essential in silvopastoral systems Traditional because it offers shade and supplemental forage in regions where dry periods affect pasture availability. Its ripe fruits are consumed by cattle and horses and provide high nutritional value.
In the Caribbean region and elsewhere, producers protect wild calabashes in pastures because animals seek them out and they tolerate browsing well. The trees survive pruning well, withstand several cuts per year, and allow grass to regrow beneath their canopy. Furthermore, Its fruits are used as silage and feed for other domestic species..
Culturally, the empty and dried shell, after a simple artisanal process, is used to make containers, ladles, jugs, vessels, crafts and musical instrumentsIn addition, the pulp has been used in traditional medicine to prepare natural remedies and expectorant syrups, although it is always recommended to consult a professional.
Multiplication, sowing and management of calabash
The calabash can be propagate by seeds or cuttings. Although young plants grow slowly, once established they show good growth rates. It is recommended to plant seedlings at least 30 cm tall during the rainy season, in deep holes and with spacing of XNUMX cm. 2 x 3 m or 3 x 3 m between individualsThis spacing promotes canopy development and improves access to light.
Branch management is important, especially in livestock systems, to allow animal passage and optimize tree architecture. Regular pruning of branch tips in young plants stimulates the development of secondary branches closer to the trunk and contributes to thickening the canopy and strengthening the main branches.
The totumo is in general resistant to pests and diseases, although regular monitoring is recommended to detect and control potential health problems. No pests of significant economic importance have been reported.
Soil requirements and environmental conditions
For optimal growth, the totumo prefers fertile soils It is a good-draining, organic-rich species, although it can adapt to poor or clayey soils. The ideal pH is between 4,0 and 7,5, and salinity should be avoided. It is a light-demanding species, although it tolerates some shade, especially in the early stages.
Its ecological flexibility allows it to thrive in a variety of climatic and soil conditions, but deep, well-aerated soil enhances its development, fruit production, and longevity. An adequate irrigation regime, avoiding prolonged waterlogging, is recommended during establishment.
Ecological and ornamental importance
The calabash attracts numerous species of fauna, especially pollinating and dispersing birds, contributing to the biodiversity of the ecosystems where it is found. Thanks to its evergreen foliage, wide canopy and resistance to stress, it is ideal as a species for Ornamental plantings in parks, roundabouts, squares and institutional areas.
Its conservation status is "least concern," as it is a species with a wide distribution and excellent adaptability to different environments.
The value of the totumo (gourd) lies not only in its resilience and adaptability, but also in the multitude of services it provides: from artistic and utilitarian production to its key role in rural production systems and environmental conservation. Integrating the totumo (gourd) into production and urban systems provides nutritional, ecological, and cultural benefits, helping to preserve sustainable practices and valuable local traditions.