Sicana odorifera

Sicana odorifera ( Cassabanana )

Sicana odorifera ( Cassabanana, Melocoton ) is a tropical crop which belongs to the gourd family ( Cucurbitaceae ), hence its second Latin name Cucurbita odorifera. Sicana odorifera is the only species of the genus Sicana.

This plant is in much of Latin America, where it is referred to as Curugua and also in the southern U.S. - grown - from the Cajun.

Description

Sicana odorifera is a fast growing, perennial, herbaceous plant that grows creeping or trailing. The stems reach lengths of 15 meters or more. Stems and leaves are hairy. The tendrils are often four parts. The petioles are up to 12 cm long. The lobed leaves are up to 30 cm wide.

The solitary, unisexual flowers are fünfzählig with a double perianth. The five white or yellow petals are fused.

The fruit is up to 60 cm long; the skin color variable. The sweet, aromatic, orange - yellow flesh of the ripe fruit can be eaten raw or canned. The unripe fruit is used as a vegetable.