View source for Sicana odorifera

{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
|name = Cassabanana
|image = Sicana odorifera E Andre 1890.jpg
|genus = Sicana
|species = odorifera
|authority = ([[Vell.]]) [[Charles Victor Naudin|Naudin]]
|synonyms = 
* ''Cucurbita evodicarpa'' <small>[[Hassk.]]</small> 
* ''Cucurbita odorifera'' <small>[[Vell.]]</small>
}}

'''''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'''.<ref name="purdue">{{cite web|url=https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/cassabanana.html|title=Cassabanana|publisher=Purdue University|accessdate=November 22, 2014}}</ref>

The fast-growing, fleshy vine can reach {{convert|15|m|abbr=on}} or more in height, climbing with four-part adhesive [[tendril]]s.  The large, hairy, palmately lobed leaves grow to {{convert|30|cm|abbr=on}} in width.<ref name="purdue" />

The fruit is large, up to {{convert|60|cm|abbr=on}} long, with skin of variable color. The fruit has a delicious, [[melon]]-like taste when it is ripe, which needs high temperatures to ripen. The sweet, aromatic, yellow-to-orange flesh of the mature fruit is eaten raw or made into [[preserves]].  The immature fruit can be cooked as a vegetable.<ref name="purdue" />

== 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 ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/cassabanana.html Information from ''Fruits of Warm Climates'']

{{Taxonbar|from=Q311081}}

[[Category:Cucurbiteae]]
[[Category:Flora of Southern America]]


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