Crescentia mirabilis

Native only to Cuba, this plant is a rare, threatened evergreen shrub reaching about sixteen feet tall. Long, spreading branches carry clusters of small leaves that are often broadest toward their tips. Pale green to yellowish, trumpet-shaped flowers emerge directly from the trunk and woody branches, usually singly or in pairs. The rounded fruits are about the size of a grapefruit, with hard, woody shells enclosing pale pulp and small, dark, flattened seeds. The fruits are not edible; hollowed shells can be used as containers or musical instruments. The species occurs in coastal habitats along northern Cuba and is maintained in botanical garden collections. Photographed in Florida.