Gourd Tree

Crescentia alata

Beng: Baishnab Bel (?)

A small but very unusual tree with hard gourd-like fruit, dingy greenish yellow flowers that grow straight out of trunk. Leaves are also very unusual, trifoliate and the leaf stalk is “winged” and act as the fourth leaflet!

Bark: Greyish, not very rough

Leaf: 3 lobed, the leaf stalk is “winged” and act as the fourth leaflet

Flower: 6 cm long bell-shaped greenish yellow with brownish veins. Grows from trunk.

Fruit: gourd (or bael) like10 cm in diameter. Grows directly from trunk or bigger branches.

Range/habitat:  Native to dry forests of Mexico and Guatemala. Usually planted in Indian parks for its oddity value.

Trivia and notes:  There is another closely related species Crecentia cujete where the leaves are simple and grows in whorl of two or more.

Where to Find:  A specimen in the Menoka cinema side of Rabindra Sarobar. GPS: 22.50871, 88.34773