| BRIEF DESCRIPTION A climbing or trailing herb starting from a tuberous root, often climbing high in the trees. Fruits 10-20 x 4-5 cm, yellow turning red at maturity. USES Immature fruits, young leaves and flowers are used as vegetables. The seeds contain an oil that is used as an illuminant. Its roots frooth in water and can be used as soap. The seeds have medicinal properties. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. Flowering starts about 2 months after planting and may contiue for 6-8 months. COMMON NAMES Sweet gourd, Spiny bitter cucumber, Giant spine gourd, Pupia, Torobuk, Toropu, Teruah, Buyok-buyok, Paruk-paruk, Taboguak, Makkao, Khaawz, Fakkhao, Phak-kkao, Khika-khrua. FURTHER INF Scientific synonym: M. mixta, Muricia cochinchinensis. Sweet gourd occurs wild and cultivated from India to Japan and throughout Maleysia. In winter at high altitudes or during cool or dry seasons the plant remain dormant and start growing again from the tuberous root. It prefers warm humid conditions and in the wild it can often be found in open places on lowland riverbanks. It may yield 30-60 fruits per plant, each weighing 1-3 kg. |
