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Trichosanthes ovigera - Blume.

Common Name Japanese Snake Gourd
Family Cucurbitaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Fertile and damp places in mountain wilds in China[147]. Brushwoods along valleys, open forests on mountain slopes at elevations of 700 - 2500 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Trichosanthes ovigera Japanese Snake Gourd


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Trichosanthes ovigera Japanese Snake Gourd
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Trichosanthes ovigera is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, 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. cucumeroides. Maxim.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Root
Edible Uses:

An edible starch is obtained from the root[2, 46, 61, 183]. The immature fruit is preserves in miso or salt[183]. The mature fruit is about 7cm long[200]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. We have no record of the seed being edible, though there is no reason to believe that it should not be[K]. Like the edible seeds of many members of this plant family, the seed is eaten in the Orient as a vermifuge[218]. The seed contains 33.8% protein and 56.3% fat[218].

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Fruit (Dry weight)
  • 316 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 0%
  • Protein: 15.8g; Fat: 0g; Carbohydrate: 78.9g; Fibre: 8.8g; Ash: 5.3g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 333mg; Phosphorus: 596mg; Iron: 17.5mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 2159mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 14210mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.7mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.9mg; Niacin: 12.3mg; B6: 0mg; C: 105mg;
  • Reference: [ 218]
  • Notes:

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.
Anodyne  Antiphlogistic  Blood purifier  Diuretic  Febrifuge  Poultice  Vermifuge

Diuretic[116]. The seed is vermifuge[218]. The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, blood purifier, depurative, febrifuge and resolvent[147]. It is used as a poultice or made into a decoction to treat abscesses, boils, fevers, sore throats etc[147, 218]. The fruit is used to treat coughs, diabetes, jaundice etc[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soap

The dried fruit is a soap substitute[46, 61, 116].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a rich well-drained soil and plenty of moisture in the growing season[1]. Plants are not hardy in Britain and normally require greenhouse cultivation[200], but it may be possible to grow them as a spring-sown annual in a very warm sheltered bed outdoors[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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 some protection, such as a frame or cloche, until the plants are growing away well.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hainan Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu (southeast), Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku), Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bangladesh, India (north), Nepal, Indonesia (Papua), Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia (Jawa, Kalimantan, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku, Sulawesi, Sumatera), Malaysia, Philippines (Luzon, Mindanao), Singapore AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Queensland (northeast), Western Australia (northeast), Northern Territory)

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Trichosanthes cucumerina anguinaSnake GourdAnnual Climber5.0 10-12 FLMHNM210
Trichosanthes kirilowiiChinese CucumberPerennial Climber6.0 8-11 FLMHNM241
Trichosanthes kirilowii japonica Perennial Climber6.0 8-11 FLMHNM331
Trichosanthes multiloba Perennial Climber0.0 - FLMHNM212

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Blume.

Botanical References

58200266

Links / References

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