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Candle Tree
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Candle Tree
ntroduced Photo: Aarti Khale
Common name: Candle Tree
Botanical name: Parmentiera cereifera    Family: Bignoniaceae (Jacaranda family)
Synonyms: Parmentiera edulis, Crescentia aculeata

The Candle tree is a relative of the Calabash tree. The tree produces thousands of 12-30 inch long, waxy skinned, green-yellow fruits resembling tapered candles. The Candle Tree is a relative of the sausage tree, and is native to Central America. The fruits and seeds of this tree are considered to be edible and are generally safe for human consumption. Interestingly, the flowers emerge directly on the bark of the tree. It is also grown as an ornamental for its flowers and unusual appearance when the fruits are ripening.

Identification credit: Prashant More
Photographed at Jijamata Udyan, Mumbai.
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