Luffa

Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae).

Description

Luffa species are annuals or perennials, usually climbing, with tendrils, and are native to Asia and Africa. The genus includes both herbaceous plants and woody shrubs growing to 15–30 feet tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, large, with 4–12 lobes, often deeply lobed, with a densely hairy surface. The flowers are yellow, with five petals; the fruit is a capsule with numerous seeds.

Uses

Luffa are best known for the sponge-like texture of the fruit's interior when mature. The fruit must be harvested at a young stage of development to be edible. The vegetable is popular in India, China and Vietnam. When the fruit is fully ripened, it is very fibrous. The fully developed fruit is the source of the loofah scrubbing sponge which is used in bathrooms and kitchens. Luffa are not frost-tolerant, and require 150 to 200 warm days to mature.

Species

The most commonly seen species are:

• Luffa acutangula – Ridged luffa, angled luffa, Chinese okra, dish cloth gourd, ridged gourd, sponge gourd, vegetable gourd, strainer vine, ribbed loofah, silky gourd, silk gourd, or sinkwa towelsponge
• Luffa aegyptiaca – Smooth luffa, sponge gourd, Egyptian cucumber, or Vietnamese luffa

Cultivation

Luffa plants prefer a long, warm growing season and they can be grown in most areas as an annual plant. The vines can reach up to 30 feet in length and require a trellis or fence for support. The plants produce yellow, male and female flowers. The female flowers will develop into the luffa fruit.

See also

• Cucurbitaceae
• Gourd

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