Angled Luffa (Luffa acutangula) Gardening
Angled Luffa (Luffa acutangula) is a fruit in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, ranges from central Asia and eastern Asia to southeastern Asia. It is also known as Ridged luffa, Vegetable sponge, Vegetable Gourd, ribbed gourd, petola sagi, sze gua, Chinese okra, Silk squash, and belustru. It is commercially grown for its unripe fruit which is used as a vegetable. Mature fruit are used to make cleaning sponges.
Angled luffa is a tropical trailing vine, growing 1.8-2.5 m tall. It has rounded leaves,15-30 cm diameter, and brightyellow flowers. The rounded leaves are covered with short hairs. Both male and female flowers are borne on the same plant, with pollination done by the bees. Angled luffa, 30 to 60 cm long, is a ribbed and cylindrical-shaped fruit, with ten longitudinal angular ridges and a tapered neck.
Angled luffa prefers full sun, well-drained sandy loam. It is cold sensitive and should be grown during the warm season. Propagation is by seeds. Allow unblemish fruit to ripen and dry on the plant, and break open to collect seeds.
Angled Luffa (Luffa acutangula)
Author: Hans B. (public domain)
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