Family: Annonaceae
Scientific name: Monodora myristica
Common name: Calabash nutmeg
Origin: Africa

The seeds of the peculiar calabash nutmeg used to be sold as a cheap replacement of nutmeg, because the taste is very similar. Nowadays the seeds are primarily used as a seasoning in the African kitchen. The calabash nutmeg is a tropical tree from western Africa, and grows up to a height of 35 meters. The leaves are 45 cm in size, but especially the extraordinary flowers give the plant ornamental value. The flowers are spotted red and yellow, hang from long stems and resemble the flowers of an orchid. The green round fruits are 20 cm in size and hang from stems up to 60 cm long.

The species can be grown indoors, but a heated greenhouse would be ideal. The temperature needs to be above 15 degC year round , and the plant needs to be sprayed with water regularly. The seeds are very rare, only occasionally available, and have a short viability. The delivery time of this species can therefore be quite long.

Sowing description: Soak the seeds for 48 hours in lukewarm water, then sow them in sowing mix. Keep the soil constantly moist, cover with plastic foil or glass and let the seeds germinate at 25-30 degrees Celcius.

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Challenge
Minimum temperature: 15 degrees Celcius

Photo 1: Phginlon via Flickr
Photo 2: Carmen Paixao via Flickr