Trichosanthes villosa

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a climber. It can be 10 m long. The stem is slightly grooved. The leaves are broadly oval. The leaves are reddish brown and velvety underneath. The fruit are round and red. They can be 10-13 cm across. The pulp inside the fruit is white.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows at about 900 m altitude in Yunnan in China. It grows in monsoonal rainforest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young fruit are boiled before eating. The leaves are cooked and eaten and used as flavouring.

Plants are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Do-mo, Mahuola, Mi-mao-gua-lou, Molei, Yaidonggua

Synonyms

Trichosanthes kerrii Craib;