Bottle gourd
Bottle gourd
The Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), also known as calabash, long melon, New Guinea bean and Tasmania bean, is a vine grown for its fruit, which can either be harvested young and used as a vegetable, or harvested mature, dried, and used as a bottle, utensil, or pipe.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈbɒtəl ɡɔːrd/
Etymology
The term "bottle gourd" comes from the plant's fruit, which is shaped like a bottle. The word "gourd" can be traced back to the Old French gourde, which derived from the Latin cucurbita meaning "gourd vine."
Description
The Bottle gourd is a fast-growing, annual climber. The plant produces large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers that open at night. The fruit is smooth, light green, and bottle or pear-shaped.
Cultivation and uses
Bottle gourds are grown by direct sowing of seeds or by transplanting 15- to 20-day-old seedlings. They are fairly easy to grow and are often used in gardening as an ornamental plant.
In culinary contexts, the young fruits are often eaten as a vegetable. The mature, dried fruits are used to make various household items, including bottles, bowls, and fishing floats. They can also be used to make musical instruments.
Related terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bottle gourd
- Wikipedia's article - Bottle gourd
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