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Luffa cylindrica
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Family:
CUCURBITACEAE
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Citation: Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem., Syn. Monogr. 2: 63. 1846; Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 11: 70. 1982; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 122. 1982; Ansari, Fl. Kasaragod Div. 175. 1985; Manilal, Fl. Silent Valley 118. 1988; Ramach. & V.J. Nair, Fl. Cannanore Dist. 203. 1988; Antony, Syst. Stud. Fl. Kottayam Dist. 178. 1989; Babu, Fl. Malappuram Dist. 293. 1990; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 213. 1990; M. Mohanan & Henry, Fl. Thiruvanthapuram 208. 1994; Sivar. & Mathew, Fl. Nilambur 292. 1997; Sasidh., Fl. Periyar Tiger Reserve 154. 1998; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 321. 2009; Ratheesh Narayanan, Fl. Stud. Wayanad Dist. 392. 2009.
Momordica cylindrica L., Sp. Pl. 1009. 1753.
Luffa aegyptiaca Mill., Gard. Dict. (ed. 4) 500.1785; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2:614.1879; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 533(376). 1919; Anil Kumar et al., Fl. Pathanamthitta 235. 2005.
Luffa pentandra Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3:712. 1832.
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Malayalam Name(s):
Kattupeechil, Kattupeeram, Peechinga, Perumpeeram, Puttilpeeram
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Tamil name(s):
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English name(s):
Smooth loofah, Sponge gourd, Vegetable sponge
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Description:
Climbing herbs, tendrils 3-fid. Leaves 5-(7)-lobed, 6-12 x 6-11 cm, orbicular or broadly ovate in outline, base cordate, margin shallowly dentate, apex acuminate, upper surface glandular-punctate, lower surface scabrid; petiole to 4.5 cm long. Flowers monoecious, male and female on same axil. Male flowers in recemes, clustered; peduncle to 9 cm; pedicel to 8 mm; calyx tube broadly companulate, lobes 5, 2-3 x 1-1.5 cm, lanceolate- acuminate; petals 5, yellow; stamens 5, free, inserted near mouth of calyx tube, anthers one 1-celled, others 2-celled. Female flowers solitary, co-axillary with male flower; ovary oblong, 1-locular; ovules many. Fruits 10-22 x 6-8 cm, cylindric, fibrous within. Seeds many, c. 10 x 8 mm, ovoid, compressed, black.
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Habit:
Climber
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Flowering & Fruiting:
February-December
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District(s):
All Districts
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Medicinal:
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Habitat:
Forest margins and wastelands
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Distribution:
Paleotropics, often cultivated
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Aquatic:
No
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Epiphyte(s):
No
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Saprophyte:
No
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Stem parasite:
No
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Root parasite:
No
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Flower colour(s):
Yellow
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Weed:
No
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Monocot/Dicot:
Dicotyledonous Plants
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Exotic:
No
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Garden:
No
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Edible:
No
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Vegetable:
Yes
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Endemic to:
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IUCN status:
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Altitude:
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Localities:
Pambavalley, Konni, Periyarum, Bhavani river bank, Neelipara-Vaniampara, Meledum, Nedumkayam
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