Ribbed orange gourd
Trichosanthes costata

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family herb. It is a climber. The stems and branches are slender. The leaves are oval to heart-shaped and 4-8 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. They have 3-5 lobes. The middle lobe is larger and the surfaces are rough. Both male and female flowers occur singly. The fruit are oval and 4-5 cm long. They have 10 ribs. The seeds are oblong and 7 mm long by 3 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Gymnopetalum chinense (Lour.) Merr.; Gymnopetalum cochinchinense Kurz; and several others.