Edible: Fruit, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Seeds-oil, Vegetable
A pumpkin family plant. It is an annual climber up to 10 m long. The stem is five angled and slightly hairy. The tendrils have 2 or 3 branches. Leaves are 10-20 cm across with five to seven lobes. Male and female flowers are separate and yellow. The male flowers occur as 4 to 20 flowers together while female flowers are solitary in the leaf axils. Flowers open in the early morning. The fruit is fairly smooth and cylindrical and can be 30 - 60 cm long. The seeds are black, flat and smooth and 10-15 mm long.
A tropical plant. It grows well in the tropical lowlands but will also grow in more temperate places. It does best with temperatures between 25-30°C. It is better suited to the drier season as too heavy a rainfall during flowering and fruiting is harmful. Soils should be well drained and moderately rich. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 1,000-1,800 mm. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,500 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows up to 1,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Yunnan.
Common Names: Belustru, Bhol, Blustru, Boap hom, Boco, Chinkupule, Chisambo, Dadar, Dhundal, Dhundol pata, Dhundul, Dirgha patolika, Dishcloth gourd, Djadar, Djadra, Dudhul, Ekyangwe, Emes, Empenche, Esfregao, Esponja vegetal, Essancadaco, Estropajo, Fuaski, Futi, Ghia-torai, Ghiu toria, Ghiya tori, Ghosali, Ghuraunla, Guthibira, Hechima, Hey, Kabatiti, Kattupeechal, Ketola manis, Kisukulio, Kyangwe, Landjirco, Lidadochi, Lifa, Lipa, Lotorco, M'boa, Makwasaokwasa, Mantwatwa, Meethi-torai, Metolak, Metowo, Mozhuku pirkankai, Muop huong, Muop, Musaka saka, Nanua, Niyan-wetakolu, Nonong prakaer, Nsanu, Ntembere, Nterater, Nsanu, Ogiogi, Olok, Patola, Petola buntal, Petola manis, Petulo panjang, Pichuknu, Pipino-di-lobo, Pipino-di-mato, Pir rorogo, Poente, Pronthai, Rajakoshataki, Saysay-ot, Si gua, Sponge gourd, Sze kwa, Taku, Tangmui, Tha-but-chaw, Thabut-kha, Tha-but-nwe, Thenpon, Thoraa, Toorai, Tuppahirekai, Turia, Umpawng, Vatakolu, Xifenhu
Synonyms:
Luffa aegyptiaca Miller;
Luffa aegyptiaca Miller var. peramara Bailey;
Luffa fricatoria Donde;
Luffa insularum Donde;
Luffa leucosperma M. Roem.;
Luffa pentandra Roxb.;
Luffa racemosa Roxb.;
Luffa sylvestris Miq.;
Luffa leiocarpa (Naudin) F. Muell.;
Momordica cylindrica L.;
Momordica luffa L.;