Trichosanthes wallichiana

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a climber. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are less than round. The upper surface is slightly hairy. The lower surface is smooth. The leaves are divided like fingers on a hand into 3-9 lobe. These are oblong or sword shaped. They taper to a tip and have teeth along the edge. The flowers are of separate male and female sex. They are white. The fruit are oval.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal plants grow between 600-2700 m altitude. They grow in moist, shady places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The seeds are pickled. CAUTION: The fruit are poisonous.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Akar labu ayer, Akar timun gagak, Ban pharsi, Belistur, Indreni, Indrayani, Ketimun, Labu ayer hutan, Lemshinokjang

Synonyms

Involucraria wallichiana Seringe; Trichosanthes multiloba C.B.Clarke; Trichosanthes multiloba Miquel;