Parmentiera aculeata

Parmentiera aculeata (synonym Parmentiera edulis), commonly known as cow okra, cuajilote, guajilote, huachilote, or pepino kat, is a species of flowering tree in the family Bignoniaceae. It is native to Mexico and Central America and is known primarily for its edible fruit and medicinal properties.

Description

A small evergreen tree. It grows 5-10 m high. It has a spreading crown. The trunk can be 8 cm across. The leaf stalks have narrow wings. The leaves are in rings on short spiny twigs. The leaves have 1-4 leaflets. They are 5 cm long. The flowers and fruit grow from the trunk or singly at the ends of branches. The flowers are large and irregular and bell shaped. They are up to 6 cm long. They usually occur . The tube shaped flowers are yellowish green with purple stripes. The fruit are pointed and yellowish green. The fruit are candle shaped and 12 cm long by 7 cm wide. The fruit is waxy. They are dull yellow and short and plump with ridges like okra. It has many angles and grooves.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruits are eaten raw, cooked by boiling, roasted, preserved, or pickled. The fruits can also be chewed like sugarcane. They are a staple food in some Central American countries.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw, cooked by boiling or roasted, and preserved or pickled. They are chewed like sugarcane.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

P. aculeata is planted as an ornamental, shade tree and live fence throughout its native range. Its fruits are edible and are eaten either raw or cooked, and are sometimes pickled or made into preserves. Its flavor is reportedly similar to sugarcane. They are also used as cattle fodder in southern Mexico. The plant is commonly used in traditional medicine. The fruit is used to treat common colds, diabetes, asthma, headaches, diarrhea, and gallstones, while the roots are used as a diuretic.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in the humid lowlands. It is native to Central America. It needs a frost free site. It needs reasonable drainage. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 750 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Rockhampton Botanical gardens.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Central America*, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Hispaniola, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico*, North America, Pacific, Panama, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, St Lucia, USA, Venezuela, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants grow easily from seed. They can also be grown by cuttings.

Other Uses

The wood is used for fuel.

Production

Trees fruit in about 5 years. It flowers all year round.

Other Information

They are a staple food in some Central American countries. It is cultivated.

Notes

There are 9 Parmentiera species. They are trees from tropical America.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bananinha, Chayote, Chote, Cow okra, Cuachilote, Cuajilote, Cucumber tree, Guachilote, Panama candle tree, Pepino de arbol, Yellowtaper candletree

References (38)

• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 4097 (As Parmentiera edulis)
• Arellanes, Y., et al, 2013, Influence of traditional markets on plant management in the Tehuacan Valley. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 9:38 (As Parmentiera edulis)
• Arriaga, M. R. et al, 2014, Catalogue of fruit species in the southeast of the State of Mexico, Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agricolas Vol. 5 Num. 8. pp 1509-1517
• Barwick, M., 2004, Tropical and Subtropical Trees. A Worldwide Encyclopedic Guide. Thames and Hudson p 313
• Bot. voy. Herald 183. 1854

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