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Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley
| Family Name: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Synonyms: | Lagenaria vulgaris, Cucurbita siceraria |
| Common Name: | Bottle Gourd, Labu Ayer Puteh, Calabash Gourd, 葫 芦 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Chromosome Number | 22 |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Pantropical |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A monoecious annual vine with a twining habit, it has tendrils to aid in climbing up support. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The pubescent leaves are simple, lobed and arranged alternately along the stem, the leaves have a musky scent. |
| Flowers | The flowers are found growing from the axillary nodes and are solitary. The male flowers are on long pedicles while the female flowers are on short pedicles. |
| Fruit | The fruit is a pepo, the rind being hard and durable with soft and white flesh. |
| Cultivation | The plant is ideally, grown under full sun in light and well-drained soils of pH levels 6.0 to 7.0. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Seeds Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The young fruits are used as a vegetable, boiled, fired or used in stews. The seeds are also eaten as a popular snack food. Medicinal: The green fruit made into syrup is employed medicinally as a pectoral against chest pains . Others: The hard shells of the dried, mature fruits are used as containera, decorative handicrafts, floats and musical instruments. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Before planting, the seeds should be soaked in water overnight before planting to encourage quicker germination. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 145 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1441 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
