Trichosanthes ovigera Japanese Snake Gourd PFAF Plant Database

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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

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:

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 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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Trichosanthes cucumerina anguina	Snake Gourd	Annual Climber	5.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	2	1	0
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

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

Blume.

Botanical References

58200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Trichosanthes ovigera - Blume.