I saw several of these trees along the streets in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The fruits and the leaves grow directly from the branches. There seems to be minimal furcation (although there certainly seems to be a lot of branches in this picture). The fruit is roughly 6-8 inches (15 - 20 cm) in diameter. Any ideas what this is? Thanks in advance! Doug
With help, I've narrowed it down to Crescentia. Possibly Crescentia cujete (Calabash tree), but I can't find enough clear pictures of the other species of Crescentia to be sure. Some of the pictures of C. cujete on-line seem to show different leaf shapes/configurations.
Hmm. I am wondering if your tree could be a sapote, Pouteria sapota. www.nybg.org/bsci/belize/Pouteria_sapota.jpg Granted, your fruit is bigger (and how!) but the more I look at various photos, the leaf shape and the way the fruit grows right out of the branch...well, take a look at this photo and some others and see what you think.
Thanks. I spent a lot of time yesterday looking at pictures of various Pouteria, including P. sapota. I'm convinced that it is Crescentia and fairly sure that it is C. cujete. http://www.forestry.gov.jm/PDF_files/Dendrology/p60-61.pdf I was hoping to be definitive, but I may not be able to reach that point. On my next visit to Honduras, maybe I'll have time to check it out some more...
When you do, be sure to take (and send us) lots of photos! Thanks for sharing this one---great photo and subject both. I think that you are correct with the Crescentia ID.
