Herpetospermum operculatum
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A pumpkin family vine. It is a climber and grows 10 m long. It has tendrils with 4 branches. The stems are slender and angular. Young shoots are densely hairy. The leaves are heart shaped to triangular and have 5 lobes. The fruit stalk is 6-7 cm long. The fruit are smooth and oblong and have yellow stripes. It has a cap at the end. They have 24 seeds.
Not in The Plant List.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows between 1,500-3,000 m above sea level in the Himalayas.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim
How it is used for food
The leaves are used in soup.
It is a preferred vegetable for soup.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
In Nagaland leaves are harvested June to November.
Its other names
Local names
Thruinam