Cuatecomate. Small tree of 8 m. tall and up to 25 cm. diameter;
Summary
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- 1 Features
- 2 Playback
- 3 Habitat
- 4 Ecosystem
- 5 Protection category
- 6 Factors that cause it to be in this category
- 7 Source
features
Twisted branches, open crown, absent secondary branches, the smallest, thick, subterete, with projections of alternate condensed shoots, each carrying a fascicle of leaves in the center. The flower is cinnamon colored, tubular, campanulate, with a horizontal fold in the middle of the basal side of the throat, fleshy, 4 to 6.5 cm. long and 1.8 to 2.5 cm. wide at the throat of the tube; the lobes, more or less triangular and fused at the bases, generally glabrous, the external surface has scattered squamous glands.
Fruit, a small pepo or pumpkin, more or less spherical, 7 to 10 cm. diameter; seeds small, thin, not winged, 6 to 7 mm. long and 7 to 9 mm. wide spread over the pulp of the fruit. It blooms all year round.
Reproduction
Sexual (by seed), asexual (by stake).
Habitat
Land.
Ecosystem
Sub-evergreen lowland forest.
Protection category
Overfished plant. It is one of the 20 most important species in the State of Morelos . It ranks 6th in terms of intensity of uses and 13th in terms of diversity of uses.
It is one of the species that is being strongly impacted in its natural populations.
Factors that cause it to be in this category
Regarding its use: Construction: wood is highly valued in the production of handles for balance tools, for yokes, handles, bars and pitchforks, saddles. Medicinal: The fruit of this species is used to alleviate different respiratory conditions, mainly cough, lung pain and asthma. The pulp of the fruit is scraped and sweetened with honey, to make a syrup. Another way is to make a hole in the fruit, remove the pulp and add cane alcohol, let it rest for 7 days, strain and store in a dark container, and, finally, take a tablespoon on an empty stomach.
The flower is used for ear problems, it is roasted, and from the juice that comes out, 3 drops are put in each ear. Artisan: Maracas are made with the fruit. Edible: The dried seed is roasted on the comal with salt and lemon. Fuel. The dried stem is used as firewood. In some places of the entity, the locals cut the green fruit and sell it, so the seed is thus not viable to germinate. Another drawback for this plant is grazing and browsing.
