Practical
Plants

Abobra tenuifolia

Cranberry Gourd

a perennial woody member of the Abobra genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Abobra
Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Height
3.5 m
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit[2]. No more details. The egg-shaped fruit is about 12mm long[3].

Plant part
Fruit

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
S. America - Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow April in a rich compost in the greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a warm sunny position and a light soil[1][4]. Although not hardy outdoors in most of Britain, the plant has a fleshy root about 30cm below the soil surface and this can be stored overwinter in a greenhouse or frame[1][3], replanting it in May[4]. One report says that the root can be left in the ground in the very mildest parts of Britain[4]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of tendrils[3]. The greenish-white flowers are powerfully scented[4]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  3. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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