Amphitecna latifolia: Black Calabash

This upright, densely foliated, evergreen small tree can reach a height of 30 feet with a variable spread. The large, seven-inch-long, dark green, glossy leaves make it ideal for a small-scale shade or specimen tree, or it can be allowed to grow into a tall screen. Throughout the year, two-inch-long, purplish-white, non-showy tubular flowers are produced on short stalks. These blooms are followed by smooth, shiny green, four-inch-long fruits which have a thin, hard shell and contain numerous 1/2-inch-long, edible black seeds in white pulp. The furrowed tree bark is grey and rough.