Bristly luffa, Bitter sponge gourd
Luffa echinata

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family creeper. It is a climber. It has bristles and tendrils. The leaves are kidney shaped and 5 lobed. The leaves have bristles on both surfaces and small teeth along the edge. The leaf stalk is 12 cm long. The flowers are white. The male flowers are in groups of 5-12 flowers 15 cm long. The fruit is oval and 2-5 cm long. It is densely covered with 2-5 cm long bristles. The seeds are black and oval.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan

How it is used for food

The young fruit are cooked as a vegetable. They are very bitter.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bhat kalla, Bindal, Bindaal, Chyunke van toriya, Daivadaali, Deyatada, Jimuta, Kakora, Panibira, Pey-p-pirkku

Synonyms

Momordica erinocarpa Fenzl ex Naudin;