Parmentiera
Parmentiera spp. (incl. P. aculeata, P. cereifera)
Parmentiera is a remarkable tropical tree from Central America, celebrated for its waxy, candle-like or cucumber-shaped fruits growing directly from the trunk and branches, accompanied by creamy, tubular flowers. It symbolizes abundance, nourishment, and the extraordinary generosity of the tropical world.
Bignoniaceae (Trumpet Creeper family)
Year-round in tropical climates, with peak flowering typically in dry season; fruits persist for extended periods
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: candle tree flowers and chrysobalanuss also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Parmentiera is one of the most visually extraordinary trees of the Central American tropical forest — a tree that seems to defy botanical norms by bearing its candle-like fruits and flowers directly from its trunk in the phenomenon of cauliflory. This remarkable trait has given it an almost mythological character in its native range: the Candle Tree of Panama (P. cereifera) was named for the uncanny resemblance of its long, waxy, pale-yellow fruits to rows of church candles, inspiring the folk name "Candles of God." For Indigenous and mestizo communities of Mexico and Central America, the Cuajilote tree represents the generosity of the tropical forest — a tree that offers edible fruit, medicinal value, shade, and spectacle simultaneously. Its name honors Antoine Parmentier, the French agricultural pioneer who championed the potato as a food for the masses, itself a tribute to nourishment and abundance.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun; requires warmth and full sun exposure for best growth and fruiting
Water
Moderate; drought-tolerant once established; thrives with seasonal rainfall; dislikes waterlogged soils
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy to loamy, Fertile, Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.5)
Expert Growing Tips
Suitable for outdoor cultivation only in frost-free tropical and subtropical climates (USDA zones 10–12)
In temperate climates, can be grown as a container specimen in a heated greenhouse or conservatory
Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun in a warm, sheltered position
Water regularly when young; established trees are moderately drought-tolerant
The striking ribbed fruits develop directly on the trunk and main branches — a phenomenon called cauliflory, also seen in cacao and jackfruit
Propagate from seed sown fresh; germination is usually rapid in warm, moist conditions
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Specimen tree in tropical and subtropical gardens for dramatic fruit display
- Avenue and park planting in warm climates
- Botanical garden collections and tropical conservatories
- Edible landscape planting in tropical regions where fruits are consumed
- Wildlife tree — flowers attract bats and moths as pollinators; fruits attract wildlife
Traditional Uses
- The fruits of Parmentiera aculeata (Cuajilote) are edible and eaten raw or cooked in Mexico and Central America; they have a mild, cucumber-like flavor and are consumed as a vegetable
- In traditional Mexican and Central American medicine, the bark and fruits have been used to treat diabetes, kidney complaints, and as a general tonic — the fruits contain compounds studied for mild hypoglycemic activity
- Leaves and bark preparations are used in folk medicine across its native range for treating respiratory ailments and inflammation
- The related P. cereifera (Candle Tree of Panama) is used similarly in Panamanian folk medicine
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Parmentiera
What is parmentiera commonly called?
Parmentiera aculeata is most commonly called Cuajilote or Guajilote in its native Mexico and Central America. The related P. cereifera is known as the Candle Tree, named for its long, waxy, pale-yellow fruits that closely resemble rows of church candles. Other names include Cucumber Tree and Sugar Stick Tree.
What is cauliflory?
Cauliflory is the botanical phenomenon where flowers and fruits grow directly from the trunk and main woody branches of a tree, rather than from the tips of new growth. Parmentiera is a striking example of this trait, also seen in cacao, jackfruit, and certain fig trees. It is thought to have evolved to make fruits more accessible to large ground-dwelling animals that act as seed dispersers.
Are parmentiera fruits edible?
Yes — the fruits of Parmentiera aculeata (Cuajilote) are edible and widely consumed in Mexico and Central America. They are eaten raw, cooked, or used in stews and have a mild, slightly sweet, cucumber-like flavor. They are also fed to livestock, particularly cattle, which gives rise to the alternative common name "Vaca" (cow) in some regions.
What does parmentiera symbolize?
Parmentiera symbolizes abundance, tropical generosity, and extraordinary hidden gifts. Its habit of bearing fruit and flowers directly from its trunk creates a sense of miraculous, overflowing plenty — a tree that gives its gifts in the most unexpected and generous way.
Can parmentiera be grown outside the tropics?
Parmentiera is a tropical tree suited only for outdoor growing in frost-free climates, roughly USDA zones 10–12. In cooler climates, it can be grown as a container specimen in a heated greenhouse or large conservatory, though it may not fruit reliably under glass. It requires warmth, full sun, and protection from any frost.
Who was Parmentiera named after?
The genus Parmentiera was named in honor of Antoine-Augustin Parmentier (1737–1813), the French pharmacist and agricultural pioneer best known for popularizing the potato as a food crop in France. Naming a genus celebrated for its edible fruits after the champion of nutritious, accessible food for ordinary people was considered a fitting tribute.
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