Trichosanthes cucumerina anguina Snake Gourd PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Trichosanthes cucumerina anguina is a ANNUAL CLIMBER growing to 5 m (16ft 5in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. anguina

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young fruit - cooked[1, 46, 61]. It can be used in curries or eaten as a vegetable like green beans[2, 86, 183]. Mature fruits can be up to 2 metres long and 10cm thick[2, 200]. The bright red pulp around the mature seeds is extracted and used in cooking in much the same way that tomatoes are used[183]. Leaves and young shoots - cooked[183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Abortifacient Anthelmintic Emetic Purgative

The fruit is considered to be anthelmintic, emetic and purgative[240]. The seed is said to be cooling[240]. Peptides in the plant are used as an abortifacient in China[284].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a rich well-drained soil and plenty of moisture in the growing season[1]. Cultivated in India for its edible fruit it is not hardy in Britain, requiring greenhouse cultivation[200], though it may be possible to grow it as an annual in a very warm sheltered bed outdoors[1]. The plant is very variable in the shape of the fruit, there are some named varieties[183]. Plants grow best with short daylengths and stable temperatures above 25°c[200]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[188] and also have a slightly twining stem[219]. A weight is sometimes attached to the growing fruit to ensure that it grows straight[183].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow March in pots in a warm greenhouse in a rich soil. Sow 2 - 3 seeds per pot and thin to the strongest plant. Grow them on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts. Give them some protection, such as a frame or cloche, until the plants are growing away well.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

club gourd, serpent gourd, serpent-cucumber, she gua, snake gourd, viper's gourd.

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Trichosanthes kirilowii	Chinese Cucumber	Perennial Climber	6.0	8-11	F	LMH	N	M	2	4	1
Trichosanthes kirilowii japonica		Perennial Climber	6.0	8-11	F	LMH	N	M	3	3	1
Trichosanthes multiloba		Perennial Climber	0.0	-	F	LMH	N	M	2	1	2
Trichosanthes ovigera	Japanese Snake Gourd	Perennial Climber	0.0	9-11	F	LMH	N	M	2	2	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Haines.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Readers comment


	May 24 2012 12:00AM

I am growing this plant now and it is very easy. I am growing it in a pot inside a greenhouse. Requires warm temperature to sprout, then it grows fast and is a tender climbing. Thrives in rich compost and warm temperature. It seems more resistant to a dry soil than a squash. I will update more at end of the season


	Jun 29 2012 12:00AM

Easy to grow. I grew in a 30cm wide pot, and it easily grows in such small container. It does not need much water. Need full sun and warm and rich soil. Grows fast, after 2 months starts making a huge number of male flowers and ocasionally female flowers. It is self-fertile and easily polinized by insects (better than common squash in a greenhouse). Several fruits per plant.

Trichosanthes cucumerina anguina - (L.)Haines.