Japanese Snake gourd
Trichosanthes ovigera

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a climbing herb. The tendrils can be simple or have 2 or 3 branches. They arise near the leaf. The leaves have 3-5 lobes. They are 5-16 cm long and 4.5-13.5 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 2-6.5 cm long. The flowers are white. They are 3.5-4 cm across. The fruit are oval. They are orange or reddish and 3.5-6 cm long by 2.5-3.5 cm wide. There are several seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Vietnam it grows at 2,000 m altitude. In Australia it grows in rainforest or monsoon forest between 70-1000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The roots are used for starch.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mak mak simi, Qualau trung, Sivoghai

Synonyms

Bryonia cucumeroides Ser.; Trichosanthes cucumeroides (Ser.) Maxim.; Tricosanthes hearnii Benth.; Trichosanthes himalensis C. B. Clarke;