Cucumis hystrix
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A pumpkin family plant. It is a vine. The stems are angular. It has simple, narrow tendrils. The leaves are oval or triangle shaped and 6-13 cm long by 6-10 cm wide. They have 3-5 irregular lobes. There are teeth along the edge. Male and female flowers occur singly. They are yellow. The fruit are oblong and 4-5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The seeds are narrowly oval.
There are about 25 Cucumis species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests between 800-1,500 m above sea level. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten fresh as a vegetable. They are used in salads. The leaves are boiled and eaten.
It is sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Fruit, vegetable, leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
A yao shuo kuo, Dian song, Kanta shasha, Lu gua biu