Abobra tenuifolia Cranberry Gourd PFAF Plant Database

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Abobra tenuifolia - (Hook.&Arn.)Cogn.

Common Name

Cranberry Gourd

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Not known

Range

S. America - Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Abobra tenuifolia is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in).
It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Sep to October. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required)

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Habitats
Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit. Edible Uses: Fruit[177]. No more details. The egg-shaped fruit is about 12mm long[219].

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

Requires a warm sunny position and a light soil[1, 245]. 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, 219], replanting it in May[245]. One report says that the root can be left in the ground in the very mildest parts of Britain[245]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of tendrils[219]. The greenish-white flowers are powerfully scented[245]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[219].

Propagation
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.

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Expert comment

Author
(Hook.&Arn.)Cogn.

Botanical References
1

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[219]Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls

A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
	Sat Jun 2 2007

Cranberry Gourd is a fruit found in flowers from July to August. Cranberry Gourd is found in South America. It prefers light and sandy soils. This plant cannot grow it the shade it requires moist or dry soil. This fruit is shaped like an egg. Kristin Jirjis

Elizabeth H.
David Sundin	Sat Nov 24 2007

I'm an American, who moved to Brasil last year. Abobra is very popular here. It reminds me of the many "winter squashes" that we have in the US, but with a sweeter taste, reminiscent of pumpkin. Slightly smaller than a bowling ball, it's rind is tough. Greengrocers here will cut them in half for you and you sort of chip/cut the rind away. Delicious baked, sauteed, or used in casseroles. One of the most popular vegetables of central Brasil.

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