Calabash

Calabash

Calabash (/kæləˌbæʃ/), also known as bottle gourd, is a vine grown for its fruit, which can either be harvested young and used as a vegetable, or harvested mature, dried, and used as a container, utensil, or pipe. The term "calabash" is derived from the French word calabasse, and ultimately from the Arabic qarʿah yābisah (قرعة يابسة), meaning "dried gourd".

Etymology

The word calabash comes from the French calabasse, 'dried gourd', from Spanish calabaza 'pumpkin', or from Persian kharbuz, 'melon'. The ultimate origin is the Arabic word qarʿah yābisah (قرعة يابسة), meaning "dried gourd". The name was borrowed by English via Portuguese, during the time of the Columbian Exchange in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Usage

The calabash is primarily used for its fruit, which can be either harvested young and used as a vegetable, or harvested mature, dried, and used as a container, utensil, or pipe. The gourds are also used in many cultures as decorative items, musical instruments, and in traditional medicine. In some cultures, the calabash is used in religious rituals and symbolism.

Related Terms

• Gourd
• Lagenaria
• Cucurbitaceae
• Columbian Exchange
• Traditional medicine

See Also

• List of gourds and squashes
• Cucurbita
• Cucumis

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Calabash
• Wikipedia's article - Calabash

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