Mexican calabash

A tree whose hard, round fruits grow straight from the trunk – their shells are made into traditional cups for pinolillo.

A small, spreading tree growing to 6–8 m, with distinctive leaves of three leaflets on a winged stalk, arranged in the shape of a cross. The flowers and fruits grow directly from the trunk and thick branches; the flowers are pollinated by bats at night. The round fruits, 10–15 cm across, have a hard, woody shell and pulp containing the seeds. The tree tolerates drought well and is common on pastures in the dry lowlands.

Significance in the country

The hollowed-out, dried shells are made into jícaras – traditional cups for drinking pinolillo and chicha – and the roasted seeds into a sweet drink, semilla de jícaro. The tree has given its name to many places, including El Jícaro in Nueva Segovia.

Where it grows

Pastures and dry forests of the Pacific lowlands (Chinandega, León, Managua, Rivas) and the dry valleys of the central and northern parts of the country, including the Sébaco valley and the area around Estelí.

More: Wikipedia (en)