Calabash gourd
Cyclanthera pedata

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A creeping pumpkin family plant. It can easily grow 2 m long. It climbs using tendrils. These can be divided twice or many times. The leaves are lobed and have teeth along the edge. The flowers occur in the axils of leaves. The flowers are small and cream coloured. The fruit are like small cucumbers. They can have stout prickles. They are edible. There are 10 seeds in each fruit.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in the Andes. It can be grown in warm temperate places. In the tropics it grows between 2,000-3,000 m above sea level. They grow in Nepal to about 2500 m altitude. In Argentina it grows between 500-2,800 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes (country/location of origin), Argentina, Asia, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, East Africa, Ecuador, Guatemala, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, North America, Northeastern India, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Reunion, SE Asia, Sikkim, South America (country/location of origin), Tibet, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Young fruit can be eaten raw or made into pickles. Mature fruit are cooked with oil and vinegar or added to soups and stews. Leaves and shoots can be eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, flowers, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. A spacing of 90 cm is suitable. Plants should be staked.

It flowers in 40-55 days and fruit can be harvested in 80-90 days. There are normally several harvests of fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Achocha, Achokcha, Achoqcha, Achuccha, Acochca, Barela, Bottle gourd, Caiba, Caigua, Caihua, Caygua, Cayhua, Cayua, Kaikua, Korila, Lady's-slipper, Lamthabi, Meetha karela, Patal, Pepino de rellenar, Prickle cyclanthera, Slipper gourd, Stuffing cucumber

Synonyms

Cyclanthera pedata var. edulis (Naudin) Cogn.; Momordica pedata L.; and others.