Cyclanthera langaei

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family herb. It is a vine. The leaves have 3-5 leaflets and teeth along the edge. The lower leaflets have lobes and are 12 cm long and wide. The end leaflet is not lobed. The tendrils are divided into 2. The male flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves. The female flowers occur singly. The fruit are green and 3 cm long. They open explosively when ripe. The seeds are oval and 9 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Costa Rica plants grow between 1,400-2,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cincoquelites, Macuilquilitl, Yao-mbo hubo, Yao-mbo maratsi

Synonyms

Cyclanthera langaei subsp. gracillima Pittier;