Wax gourd
Benincasa hispida

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A climbing, pumpkin family plant. The vine can be 3 m long. The plant re-grows from seed each year. The vines are thick, furrowed and hairy. The leaves are heart shaped with 5 to 7 lobes. They are rough to touch. Flowers are yellow. The immature fruit can have skin of various colours depending on variety. The fruit is up to 30 cm long and 20 cm across and green with a waxy covering when mature. This waxy layer enables the fruit to be stored for a long time. Fruit shape and size can vary with variety. The flesh is firm and white. The fruit are heavy - up to 8-45 kg.

There is only one Benincasa species. Because the rootstocks are resistant to several pests they are sometimes used as rootstocks for grafting on other pumpkin family plants.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is suited to warm, lowland, tropical conditions. It does better in dry areas or drier seasons. They are reasonably drought tolerant. The best temperature for growing is 23-28°C. They need a well-drained soil. They do best with a pH of 6.5. It grows in Nepal up to 1400 m altitude. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cambodia, Central Africa, China, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Tahiti, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The white flesh is added to stir fried dishes. The seeds are fried and eaten. Young leaves and flower buds can be cooked and eaten. The young fruit are used as a vegetable. The mature fruit are peeled, cut in pieces and candied.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. These gourds are grown in most places where Chinese have moved and where the climate is warm enough. They are mainly grown near coastal towns in Papua New Guinea for sale to Chinese. They sell for a high price. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves, flowers, vegetable

How it is grown

It is grown from seeds. There are about 1800 seeds in a kg. Seed are sown 3-5 cm deep with a spacing of 60-80 cm between plants. If plants are going to be allowed to trail over the ground a spacing of about 3 m is necessary. Seed can be sown in nurseries and transplanted when 15-20 cm tall. They are usually planted in mounds and allowed to grow over a strong trellis. They can be allowed to stay on the ground. Decayed manure or compost is used where available. Plants are responsive to sulphate of ammonia. Flowering normally starts 60-80 days after planting. Flowers are open in the early morning. Hand pollination may assist fruit development. This becomes more important in colder areas. Thinning of fruit gives larger fruit. The growing tips of plants can be pruned out to encourage branching or to restrict growth.

Fruit are ready 3-5 months after planting. The fruit keeps well when fully mature. They can be stored for 6 months at 13-15°C in a dry atmosphere. The pulp of wax gourds can be shredded and dried for later use.

Its other names

Local names

Alu puhul, Ash gourd, Ash pumpkin, Babuar, Baligo, Beligu, Bhuru kohlu, Bi xanh, Bligo semangka, Bligo, Blondcheng, Budagumbala kayi, Bududa-gummadi, Calabaza china, Chalkumra, Chal kumra, Chinese preserving melon, Chuna kumra, Dong gwa, Faeng, Fak-kib, Fak-kio, Fuzzy melon, Gimikumra, Jali kumra, Kalyanappushinikkay, Khaukhluhaba, Kodot, Kohala, Kondol, Kooshmanda, Kubhindo, Kubindo, Kumbalangai, Kundol, Kundor, Kundur, Kuvindo, Kyauk-pha-yon, Leor, Lun-tha, Mafaeng, Maipuang, Maipuong, Petha-kaddu, Petha, Pirorogo, Por-mat, Puhul, Pushani kai, Rodal, Sada kumra, Sambal pusanikkai, Tibiayon, Tong qua, Tonx, Torbot, Tougan, Trallaach, Trallah, Tung kwa, Umpong, Wattakkai, Winter melon

Synonyms

Benincasa cerifera Savi; Benincasa cylindrica Ser. [Invalid]; Benincasa hispida var. chieh-qua F.C. How; Benincasa hispida var. hispida; Benincasa pruriens (Parkinson) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes [Invalid]; Benincasa pruriens f. hispida (Thunb.) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes; Benincasa vacua (F. Muell.) F. Muell.; Cucurbita alba Roxb. ex Wight & Arn.; Cucurbita farinosa Blume; Cucurbita hispida Thunb.; Cucurbita littoralis Hassk.; Cucurbita pruriens Parkinson [Invalid]; Cucurbita pruriens Seem.; Cucurbita vacua F. Muell.; Cucurbita villosa Blume; Gymnopetalum septemlobum Miq.; Lagenaria dasystemon Miq.; Lagenaria leucantha var. clavata Makino; Lagenaria leucantha var. hispida (Thunb.) Nakai; Lagenaria siceraria var. hispida (Thunb.) H. Hara; Lagenaria vulgaris var. hispida (Thunb.) Nakai;