Fruit in New Guinea - anyone recognize it?

[Kapiak]

Hi there folks!

This photo was sent to me today from a friend who works in Sepik (Northwestern PNG) where she wondered what kind of fruit this was. She thinks the locals said that they brew some liquor of its juice.

( http://www.paradiseforest.net/00FruitPNG.jpg )

It is called "diwai wain" which means "tree vine" but it is a very generic term and the woman who sent it wasn't sure if it actually was a vine.

Anyone else recognizing it at least to family or genus level?

I am still trying to find out what it is, as I have only this picture to follow up, no flowers etc. But I recall I have seen something like that in SE Asia, but can't remember what it was right now, so my "memory thread is a bit loose" as we say in Swedish...

[Kapiak]

.

[dreamfrutas]

It is not an edible fruit... Is is CABASH TREE, Crescentia cujete

Cheers

Carlos

[Coconut]

Hi there folks!

This photo was sent to me today from a friend who works in Sepik (Northwestern PNG) where she wondered what kind of fruit this was. She thinks the locals said that they brew some liquor of its juice.

( http://www.paradiseforest.net/00FruitPNG.jpg )

It is called "diwai wain" which means "tree vine" but it is a very generic term and the woman who sent it wasn't sure if it actually was a vine.

Anyone else recognizing it at least to family or genus level?

I am still trying to find out what it is, as I have only this picture to follow up, no flowers etc. But I recall I have seen something like that in SE Asia, but can't remember what it was right now, so my "memory thread is a bit loose" as we say in Swedish...

in Africa they hollow it out and fill with mashed maize to brew corn beer in the bush. Also use container for palm sap to make palm wine!🌴🍷🌽🍻

[fruitlovers]

Yes that is calabash tree, Crescentia cujete. Here it is used for making musical instruments. It's definitely not a vine. Makes small tree.

[Kapiak]

Ah yes Calabash tree! Now my memory is back

Thanks guys, I knew it would be quicker to ask here... I remembered that I had seen it somewhere outside of PNG but couldn't remember what it was called.

OK so the info about using the juice must have been a misunderstanding? Maybe they meant that they just keep the homebrew in it then?

[ben mango]

in the philippines they make juice or something with it too.

[fruitlovers]

Ah yes Calabash tree! Now my memory is back

Thanks guys, I knew it would be quicker to ask here... I remembered that I had seen it somewhere outside of PNG but couldn't remember what it was called.

OK so the info about using the juice must have been a misunderstanding? Maybe they meant that they just keep the homebrew in it then?

It can be used as a canteen, and even exterior carved decoratively. Uses are similar to gourds. Have never heard of anyone eating calabash fruit here. Maybe the seeds are edible? i forget right now.

[dreamfrutas]

No, the seeds are not edible, but apparently they yield and edible oil.  There are 2 species of Crescentia, C. cujete has round fruits and C. alata with oval shapped  fruits. There are also a rare variety or species in Equador that is edible!

I am so crazy than one time I bought one painted dried calabash of C. alata just to get the seeds, and I am so lucky thta most of them germinated LOL!!

[Kapiak]

LOL I know what you mean, done something like that too, Dreamfrutas