Sicana odorifera
| Cassabanana | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Genus: | Sicana |
| Species: | S. odorifera
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sicana odorifera (
Vell.) Naudin | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Sicana odorifera is a large, herbaceous perennial vine native to
tropical South America, grown as an ornamental plant and for its sweet edible fruit. English names include cassabanana or casbanan, sikana, puttigel and musk cucumber.[1]
The fast-growing, fleshy vine can reach 15 m (49 ft) or more in height, climbing with four-part adhesive tendrils. The large, hairy, palmately lobed leaves grow to 30 cm (12 in) in width.[1]
The fruit is large, up to 60 cm (24 in) long, with skin of variable color. The fruit has a delicious,
preserves. The immature fruit can be cooked as a vegetable.[1]
Cultivation
It is propagated by seeds. It is grown widely in the warm parts of Latin America, as well as by the
Cajun people of the Southern United States. It needs good drainage to grow well, and does well on an acidic mix of sand (or perlite
) and rich compost.
References
- ^ a b c "Cassabanana". Purdue University. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
External links
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