Trichosanthes cordata
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A pumpkin family plant. It is a climbing vine. The stems are robust, angular and have grooves along them. The leaves are broadly oval or heart shaped and 8-22 cm long by 7-23 cm wide. Usually they do not have lobes. There are small teeth along the edge. Male flowers are in groups of 4-8 and female flowers occur singly. The fruit is round, red and smooth. The seeds are angular.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in evergreen broad-leaved forests at about 1,000 m altitude in tibet.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Singapore, Tibet
How it is used for food
The rhizomes are cooked as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Fruit, rhizomes
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Anthrul, Bhui kumro, Bhumikumra, Eleo-vu, Kyi-ah-gyi, Patol