Patola, Loofah, Sponge Gourd

Description:

Luffa (common name loofah, luffa, smooth loofah, sponge gourd, vegetable sponge) of the Cucurbitaceae or pumpkin family, the young fruit of which is eaten as a vegetable and is commonly grown for that purpose in tropical Asia. Luffa aegyptiaca (formerly known as L. cylindrica) is an annual, monoecious vine (where male and female flowers appear on different parts of the plant), with deep yellow flowers. The female flowers are borne singly and the male flowers are in clusters. The leaves are hairless, lobed, and triangular in outline. Tendrils arise from the stems near the leaves and the numerous branches are long and slender. The cylindrical or club-shaped fruit with smooth skin (as compared to the ridged appearance of L. acutangula) can be up to 30-40 cm (12-16 in) long and hangs down from the stems owing to its weight.

Habitat:

Backyard.

Notes:

References: http://cucurbitaceae.livejournal.com/770..., http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/luff_aeg...., http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.f....