Xishuangbanna cucumber, Shihuo
Cucumis sativus var. xishuangbannanensis
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
A pumpkin family plant. The stems are 6-7 m long. They have 20-40 side branches. Male and female flowers are separate. The fruit are thick and cylinder shape. It has orange fruit pulp.
There are about 25 Cucumis species. It is rich in B-carotene or proVitamin A.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows above 1,000 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw, boiled, sliced and spiced.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds.