We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

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

Common Name Cranberry Gourd
Family Cucurbitaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range S. America - Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Abobra tenuifolia Cranberry Gourd


Abobra tenuifolia Cranberry Gourd

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Abobra tenuifolia is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is 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: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant 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].

References   More on Edible Uses

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

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

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].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Argentina (Córdoba, Buenos Aires, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, San Luis, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero), Uruguay

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Hook.&Arn.)Cogn.

Botanical References

1

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   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

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.

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Abobra tenuifolia  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.