Candle Fruit (Parmentiera Cereifera) Fruit Plant

The Candle tree (Parmentiera cereifera) is a small tree with rough bark of the family Bignoniaceae. Candle tree fruit are produced by a twenty-foot tree grown in Panama which bears white or yellow funnel-shaped flowers directly on the trunk or larger branches. The leaves are winged petiole with three-ovated leaflets. White, bell-shaped flowers to 8 cm long. These flowers develop into dangling yellow fruits up to three feet in length, and greatly resemble bunches of yellow wax candles hanging from the tree. The fruits and seeds of this tree are considered to be edible and are generally safe for human consumption. The fibrous fruit is juicy with a sweet flavor similar to sugar cane.

It is eaten either raw or cooked. The fruit is sometimes made into pickles or preserves. It is reported to be a good remedy for colds, and the roots are used as a diuretic.