Edible Portion: Leaves, Fruit, Tubers, Root, Vegetable, Seeds
A pumpkin family plant. It is a climbing or trailing herb. It can climb 20 m high. It has single tendrils. It has long tuberous roots. The leaves are heart shaped, with the lobes towards the base in an angular shape. The leaves are 5-10 cm across. The edges of the leaves are irregular. The flowers occur as male and female flowers on separate plants. The flowers are large and white and occur singly. The fruit is oblong and up to 10 cm long by 2.5 cm across. It is green with white stripes. The fruit become bright red when mature. The seeds are white or light brown. They are hairy and flattened with a broad rim.