Gymnopetalum scabrum

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A climbing herb. It has tendrils. It climbs 5-6 m high. The leaves are large and alternate. The leaf stalks are 2-4 cm long. The leaves have 3 lobes with points at the tip. The base is heart shaped. The leaves have stiff hairs. Male and female flowers are separate. Male flowers occur as 2-3 in the axils of the leaves and female flowers occur singly. The fruit is a round red berry. It is 2-3 cm across. It has greenish flesh with many seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In south Vietnam it grows along river banks and canals.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are boiled as a vegetable or cooked in soup.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cut qua la nguyen

Synonyms

Cucumis integrifolius Roxb.; Gymnopetalum integrifolium (Roxb.) Kurz; Gymnopetalum leucostictum Miq.; Gymnopetalum monoicum Gagnep.; Gymnopetalum weberi (Naudin) Cogn.; Trichosanthes integrifolia (Roxb.) Kurz; Trichosanthes scabra Lour.;