Back
Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.
| Family Name: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Common Name: | Winter Melon, Wax Gourd, Fuzzy Gourd, Ash Gourd |
.jpg)
.jpg)
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South-East Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An annual, herbaceous vine. It has a twining growth form and climbs with the aid of tendrils. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The simple and coarsely textured large leaves can reach 10 to 15cm in width and are 5 lobed. Leaves are alternately arranged along the stem. |
| Stems | The stems are covered with coarse hairs. |
| Flowers | The flowers are yellow and originate from the leaf axils. |
| Fruit | The fruit is cylindrical to oblong and is dark green in colour with white flesh. The mature fruit can grow up to 30 to 45cm long and has a waxy coating, allowing it to be kept for long periods of time. |
| Cultivation | It is ideally grown in fertile, well drained growing media under full sun. It takes 80-140 days from sowing to first harvest. |
| Etymology | The genus name honours 16th century Italian Giuseppe Benincasa (1535-1596) while the species epithet 'hispida' means rough-hairy, referring to the pubescent foliage and stems. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruit can be eaten and is used in soups, candied in sugar or stuffed and steamed. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
| Seed / Spore Germination Duration | 7 days to 14 days |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute, Rough |
| Foliar Modification | Foliar Tendril |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31481 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5878 |
| 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. |