Crescentia mirabilis

Native only to Cuba, this plant is a rare, threatened evergreen shrub or small tree 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.