Snake Gourd

Trichosanthes cucumerina anguina

Physical Characteristics

Trichosanthes cucumerina anguina is a ANNUAL CLIMBER growing to 5 m (16ft 5in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Not known in the wild.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Young fruit - cooked[1, 46, 61]. It can be used in curries or eaten as a vegetable like green beans[2, 86, 183]. Mature fruits can be up to 2 metres long and 10cm thick[2, 200]. The bright red pulp around the mature seeds is extracted and used in cooking in much the same way that tomatoes are used[183]. Leaves and young shoots - cooked[183].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Anthelmintic Emetic Purgative The fruit is considered to be anthelmintic, emetic and purgative[240]. The seed is said to be cooling[240]. Peptides in the plant are used as an abortifacient in China[284].

Known Hazards

None known