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sacred garlic pear

Scientific Name: Crateva religiosa

Family: Capparaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Sacred Garlic Pear (Crateva religiosa)

The Crateva religiosa, also known as the Sacred Garlic Pear or Temple Plant, is a flowering tree with a rich history and diverse uses.

Considerations for Pets

  • Based on the information available, this plant is considered unsafe for both dogs and cats.

Considerations for Children

  • Based on the information available, this plant is considered unsafe for children.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Crateva religiosa G. Forst.
  • Synonyms: Crataeva religiosa, Crateva adansonii
  • Common Names: Sacred Garlic Pear, Temple Plant, Spider Plant, Garlic Pear Tree, Caper Tree, Three-Leaf Caper, Obtuse Leaf Crateva
  • Family: Capparaceae (also mentioned as Capparidaceae)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Group: Dicot

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Southeast Asia, Japan, and Australia.

Morphological Characteristics

  • A small tree, typically reaching 10-20 ft in height.
  • Stem seldom exceeding 30 cm dbh (diameter at breast height).
  • Leaves have septate twig pith.
  • Fruit is a globose berry, 3-5 cm in diameter.
  • Seeds are reniform (kidney-shaped), approximately 3-4 mm in diameter, smooth, and brown.

Traditional Uses

  • In the Philippines, the leaves have been used for folkloric purposes.
  • Fruits are used as spice because of its garlic taste.

Quirky Facts

  • The genus name "Crateva" is named for Kratevas, a Greek herbalist known for his skill in poisoning.
  • The species epithet "religiosa" means "sacred."

Additional Information

  • The PLANTS Database (USDA, NRCS) is a reference for the common name.
  • ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a resource for taxonomic information.