Japanese Snake Gourd

Trichosanthes ovigera

Physical Characteristics

Trichosanthes ovigera is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, 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

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Root Edible Uses: An edible starch is obtained from the root[2, 46, 61, 183]. The immature fruit is preserves in miso or salt[183]. The mature fruit is about 7cm long[200]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. We have no record of the seed being edible, though there is no reason to believe that it should not be[K]. Like the edible seeds of many members of this plant family, the seed is eaten in the Orient as a vermifuge[218]. The seed contains 33.8% protein and 56.3% fat[218].

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Antiphlogistic Blood purifier Diuretic Febrifuge Poultice Vermifuge Diuretic[116]. The seed is vermifuge[218]. The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, blood purifier, depurative, febrifuge and resolvent[147]. It is used as a poultice or made into a decoction to treat abscesses, boils, fevers, sore throats etc[147, 218]. The fruit is used to treat coughs, diabetes, jaundice etc[218].

Known Hazards

None known