Smooth loofah, Vegetable sponge
Luffa cylindrica

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is an annual climber up to 10 m long. The stem is five angled and slightly hairy. The tendrils have 2 or 3 branches. Leaves are 10-20 cm across with five to seven lobes. Male and female flowers are separate and yellow. The male flowers occur as 4 to 20 flowers together while female flowers are solitary in the leaf axils. Flowers open in the early morning. The fruit is fairly smooth and cylindrical and can be 30 - 60 cm long. The seeds are black, flat and smooth and 10-15 mm long.

There are 6 Luffa species. Chemical composition (Chinese sample): Protein = 1.4%. Fat = 0.15%. Carbohydrate = 4.28%. Ash = 0.48%. Moderate quantities of Vitamins A, B1 and B2. Moderate amounts of Vitamin C. Seed oil (Zambian sample): oil = 16%. Component esters (wt%): 16:0 = 16%. 18:0 = 13%. 18:1 = 14%. 18:2 = 3%.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows well in the tropical lowlands but will also grow in more temperate places. It does best with temperatures between 25-30°C. It is better suited to the drier season as too heavy a rainfall during flowering and fruiting is harmful. Soils should be well drained and moderately rich. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 1,000-1,800 mm. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,500 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows up to 1,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central Asia, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marquesas, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are skinned and have the centre removed. They can also be sliced and dried for later use. They can be pickled or used in soups, stews and curries. The seeds yield an edible oil after extraction. The seeds are roasted with salt and eaten as a snack. The young leaves and flowers are edible. They are blanched by covering to make them white. CAUTION Older fruit are bitter and fibrous and contain poisonous substances.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. In Papua New Guinea a minor vegetable seen in several coastal areas.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, flowers, seeds, seeds-oil, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed are collected from ripe fruit. Seed are sown 4-5 cm deep and plants are put 1 metre apart. They can be sown in seed boxes and transplanted when 15 cm high. It is best to have a trellis for the plant to climb on or be left to climb over trees. They are often pollinated by insects but can be hand pollinated in the early morning.

Fruit are harvested for sponges when fully mature. Young fruit are ready 2-3 months after planting while fruit mature 4-5 months after planting. For eating, young fruit are used. One plant can produce 20-25 fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Belustru, Bhol, Blustru, Boap hom, Boco, Chinkupule, Chisambo, Dadar, Dhundal, Dhundol pata, Dhundul, Dirgha patolika, Dishcloth gourd, Djadar, Djadra, Dudhul, Ekyangwe, Emes, Empenche, Esfregao, Esponja vegetal, Essancadaco, Estropajo, Fuaski, Futi, Ghia-torai, Ghiu toria, Ghiya tori, Ghosali, Ghuraunla, Guthibira, Hechima, Hey, Kabatiti, Kattupeechal, Ketola manis, Kisukulio, Kyangwe, Landjirco, Lidadochi, Lifa, Lipa, Lotorco, M'boa, Makwasaokwasa, Mantwatwa, Meethi-torai, Metolak, Metowo, Mozhuku pirkankai, Muop huong, Muop, Musaka saka, Nanua, Niyan-wetakolu, Nonong prakaer, Nsanu, Ntembere, Nterater, Nsanu, Ogiogi, Olok, Patola, Petola buntal, Petola manis, Petulo panjang, Pichuknu, Pipino-di-lobo, Pipino-di-mato, Pir rorogo, Poente, Pronthai, Rajakoshataki, Saysay-ot, Si gua, Sponge gourd, Sze kwa, Taku, Tangmui, Tha-but-chaw, Thabut-kha, Tha-but-nwe, Thenpon, Thoraa, Toorai, Tuppahirekai, Turia, Umpawng, Vatakolu, Xifenhu

Synonyms

Luffa aegyptiaca Miller; Luffa aegyptiaca Miller var. peramara Bailey; Luffa fricatoria Donde; Luffa insularum Donde; Luffa leucosperma M. Roem.; Luffa pentandra Roxb.; Luffa racemosa Roxb.; Luffa sylvestris Miq.; Luffa leiocarpa (Naudin) F. Muell.; Momordica cylindrica L.; Momordica luffa L.;