Wax Gourd: Arunothai
(Benincasa hispida)
Wax gourds are vining plants that produce large, round wax-covered fruits. Originally from Southeast Asia, the species is grown in many lowland tropical environments up to 1,300 m in elevation. The long vines may be trained along trellises or up buildings where they produce fruit. Fruits are eaten raw when picked young, or used similar to pumpkins when larger. Tender vine tips and seedlings discarded from plant thinning operations may be boiled and eaten as a vegetable. The seeds, like pumpkin seeds, also may be fried and eaten.
Round variety about 15 cm (6 in) across.