Description
Stout plant with grey or rusty coloured hairs.
Flowers large, in male 6-10 cm diameter.
Fruit subglobose or (long-)ellipsoid, (10-)20-60(-120) cm long;
Seeds 8-10 mm long, embedded in rather firm pulp.
Distribution
Malesia: Widely cultivated.
Morphology
2 A more conspicuous disc in the (male) flower can be found in cultivated varieties, especially those with hermaphroditic flowers.
1 The form hispida, or Wax Gourd, comprises all cultivated or escaped varieties or cultivars.
Uses
The young and ripe fruits and young shoots are used as a vegetable.
Citation
Rifai & M.E.C.Reyes 1993 – In: PROSEA: 95
Backer 1964 – In: Backer & Bakh.f., Fl. Java 1: 302
Craib 1931 – In: Fl. Siam.: 757
Ridl. 1922 – In: Fl. Malay Penin.: 852
