Fluted pumpkin, Fluted gourd
Telfairia occidentalis
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A pumpkin family plant. It is a strong vine which loses its leaves during the year. Stems can be 10 m long. The leaves have 3-5 leaflets which look like claws. They are arranged like fingers on a hand. The stalk of the leaflets is about 2.5 cm long. The leaflets have teeth on the edge of the top part of them. They are often rough underneath. The vine has tendrils which are branched and with coiled tips which clasp objects. Plants are separately male and female. Male plants have tougher shoots and smaller leaves. The male flowers are on flower stalks 5-25 cm long. Female flowers occur singly and are on short stalks. Female flowers are in the axils of leaves. Male flowers are small, pink and in clusters. The fruit are pale green and covered with a white waxy layer that rubs off easily. Fruit are strongly ribbed at maturity. They can be 25 cm long and weigh 3-6 kg. The flesh is light yellow and fibrous. The seeds are flattened, round and 3.5 cm across. There are 30-70 seeds in each fruit.
The leaves have anti-bacterial properties.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It occurs in forest zones in Africa. It can grow in shade or bright sunlight. It can survive moderate droughts. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, West Africa
How it is used for food
The thick shoots of the female plant are chopped and used on soups. The seeds are stripped of their coat then ground and used in soups. The seeds are also boiled in their seed coats then shelled and eaten. The seeds yield a cooking oil. The young shoots and leaves are used as a potherb. They are also added to soups and stews. They can also be dried and stored. CAUTION: The roots are poisonous.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, seeds, twigs, shoots, seeds - oil, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seed can be sown directly or put in a nursery then transplanted. Seedlings appear within 12-15 days. The vines need a trellis to climb over. Male plants flower in 3 months while female plants take 4-5 months to flower. Seed can be stored for 3-4 months if kept dry and cool but the seeds must not be dried.
The first leaf harvest can occur 12 weeks after planting. Seed harvest takes 8-10 months. Shoots can be picked 10-15 times over 4-5 months.
Its other names
Local names
Apiroko, Calabaza, Emeke, Gonugbe, Iroko, Krobonko, Njee, Oysternut, Pondokoko, Ubong, Ugu, Ugwu, Umee, Umwenkhen