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Lagenaria siceraria
  • Bottle Gourd

an annual member of the Lagenaria genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

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Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    Plants which support their vertical growth using other structures as a support.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 10
    Zone 10
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Lagenaria siceraria has 4 edible uses listed
Lagenaria siceraria has 3 material uses listed
Lagenaria siceraria has 11 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Immature fruit - cooked and used as a vegetable[1][2][3]. They can be boiled, steamed, fried, used in curries or made into fritters[4]. Of variable quality, but some of the selected cultivars from India and China are of very good quality, equivalent to good summer squashes[4]. The pulp around the seed is purgative and should not be eaten[5]. The fruit can be dried for later use[6].

Leaves and young shoots - cooked and used as a potherb[7][4]. Seed - cooked. Rich in oil, it is added to soups etc[4]. A vegetable curd, similar to tofu, can be made from the seed[4].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed. It is used for cooking[8][4]. Yields of up to 45% have been obtained[9].

Fruit

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Oil

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

The shell of well-ripened fruits is very hard and can be used for many purposes such as bottles, bowls, musical instruments etc. There are many different shapes of fruits from the various different varieties[10][2][5][11][6][12].

Unknown part

Bottles
Containers
Musical

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The pulp around the seed is emetic and purgative[5][7][13].

A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to the head to treat headaches[14]. The flowers are an antidote to poison[15]. The stem bark and the rind of the fruit are diuretic[15]. The fruit is antilithic, diuretic, emetic and refrigerant[7][15]. The juice of the fruit is used in the treatment of stomach acidity, indigestion and ulcers[13]. The seed is vermifuge[15]. A poultice of the boiled seeds has been used in the treatment of boils[14]. Taken with Achyranthes spp the seed is used to treat aching teeth and gums, boils etc[15].

Extracts of the plant have shown antibiotic activity[15]. In many parts of China 3 grams per day of this species (the report does not say what part of the plant) has been used as a single treatment for diabetes mellitus[15].

Unknown part

Antibiotic
Antidote
Diuretic
Emetic
Febrifuge
Lithontripic
Odontalgic
Poultice
Purgative
Vermifuge
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse in a rich soil, putting 2 - 3 seeds in a pot and thinning to the strongest plant. Grow on fast and plant out as soon as possible after the last expected frosts, giving some protection until the plants are established and growing well. The seed germinates best at 25°c[6]. Soaking the seeds for 12 hours in warm water prior to sowing can hasten germination[6]. Discard any seeds that have not germinated after 10 days, the plants they produce will not be vigorous enough to succeed outdoors in Britain[6].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lagenaria siceraria. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained moist good rich circumneutral soil[10][2][6][3]. Requires plenty of moisture in the growing season[10]. Prefers a warm sunny position sheltered from the wind[6].

The bottle gourd is widely cultivated in the tropics and sub-tropics for its edible fruit and for the hard wooden shell of the fruit that can be used as containers, musical instruments etc[16], there are many named varieties with different shaped and sized fruits[6][4][16]. The variety 'Cougourda' is said to be the best for eating[17]. Forms with wooden shells tend not to have an edible flesh[16]. The plants are frost-tender annuals, they grow very rapidly and their stems can reach a length of 9 metres in the summer[6]. A warm summer is required for good production of the fruit[6]. British summers are often too cool for this species and obtaining a crop from outdoor-grown plants in this country is somewhat problematical. The best chance is by starting the plants off early in a warm greenhouse, growing them on fast and then planting them out as soon as possible but making sure that they are not checked by cold weather. Hand pollination of the fruits can increase fruit set[16]. A climbing plant, attaching itself to supports by means of tendrils that grow out of the leaf axils[16]. It can be used as a fast-growing summer screen.

The leaves have a strong musky scent that some people find repulsive[16]. The plant is remarkably disease and pest-free, this might be connected to the smell of the leaves[16].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lagenaria siceraria. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lagenaria siceraria.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lagenaria siceraria
Genus
Lagenaria
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[5][7][13][14][15]
Material uses & Functions
[10][2][5][11][6][12]
Botanic
[3]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Fruit (Unknown use)
  • Leaves (Unknown use)
  • Unknown part (Oil)
  • Seed (Unknown use)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Bottles)
  • Unknown part (Containers)
  • Unknown part (Musical)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Antibiotic)
  • Unknown part (Antidote)
  • Unknown part (Diuretic)
  • Unknown part (Emetic)
  • Unknown part (Febrifuge)
  • Unknown part (Lithontripic)
  • Unknown part (Odontalgic)
  • Unknown part (Poultice)
  • Unknown part (Purgative)
  • Unknown part (Vermifuge)
  • Unknown part (Stomachic)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
10
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Climber
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    9 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.7 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    6. ? 6.006.016.026.036.046.056.066.076.086.096.106.11 Organ. J. Gourds. Faber (1963-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    8. ? 8.08.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Towle. M. A. The Ethno-Botany of Pre-Columbian Peru. ()
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.515.615.7 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.516.6 Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray ISBN 0-7195-4781-4 (1991-00-00)
    17. ? Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()


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