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Trichosanthes kirilowii
  • Chinese Cucumber

a perennial woody member of the Trichosanthes genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    There are no details available for this niche.
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
  • 9
    Zone 9
    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
Trichosanthes kirilowii has 0 edible uses listed
Trichosanthes kirilowii has 0 material uses listed
Trichosanthes kirilowii has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit[1]. The young fruits are pickled[2]. The pulp of older fruits is eaten[3]. Mature fruits are about 10cm long[4].

Leaves and young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[2][1]. An edible starch is obtained from the root[1]. It requires leeching[3], which probably means that it has a bitter flavour[K]. The root is harvested in the autumn, cut into thick slices, soaked for 4 - 5 days in water, changing the water daily until the root disintegrates and can be mashed into a fine pulp. It is then steamed into cakes or used for making dumplings[2][5][3].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed.

Fruit

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Oil

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

An oil from the seed is used for lighting[5].

Unknown part

Oil

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[6]. Recent research has isolated a protein called 'trichosanthin' in the roots and this is undergoing trials as a possible remedy for AIDS[7].

Skin, vulnerary[8][5]. The leaf and the stem are febrifuge[6]. The fruit is antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antifungal, depurative, emollient, expectorant and laxative[9][8][10][5][7]. It is used in the treatment of pulmonary infections with yellow and thick sputum, chest pains, stuffy feelings in the chest, constipation and dry stool[10]. It has an antibacterial action against E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, B. paratyphi, Pseudomonas, Vibrio cholerae, V. Proteus etc[10]. The fruit is traditionally prepared as a winter soup to ward off colds and influenza[7]. The fruit is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[7]. The rind of the fruit is used to treat a number of ailments, including cancer, jaundice, retained placenta, bronchial infections with thick phlegm and sore throat[10][6][7]. The seed is antitussive, emollient and expectorant[6]. The root is antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, galactogogue, laxative, oxytocic, sialagogue and uterine tonic[9][8][10][5][6][7]. The fresh root has been noted for centuries as an abortifacient - a sponge soaked in its juice was placed in the vagina and induced an abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy[6]. The root is taken internally in the treatment of diabetes, dry coughs, and to assist in the second stage of labour[10][7]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[7].

The root and/or the seed is powdered and used in the treatment of mammary cancer[6].

Unknown part

Abortifacient
Antibiotic
Anticholesterolemic
Antifungal
Antiinflammatory
Antitussive
Cancer
Depurative
Emollient
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Galactogogue
Laxative
Oxytoxic
Sialagogue
Skin
Uterine tonic
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow March in pots in a warm greenhouse in a rich soil. Sow 2 - 3 seeds per pot and thin to the strongest plant. Grow them on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts. Give some protection, such as a frame or cloche, until the plants are growing away well.

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



Cultivation

Requires a rich well-drained soil and plenty of moisture in the growing season[11][4].

Sometimes cultivated in China for its edible fruit and medicinal uses. Male plants are favoured for root production[7]. This species is not winter hardy in Britain and usually requires greenhouse cultivation[7]. However, it may be possible to grow it as an annual in a very warm sheltered bed outdoors[11]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of tendrils[7].

Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Trichosanthes kirilowii. 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 Trichosanthes kirilowii.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Trichosanthes kirilowii
Genus
Trichosanthes
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[6][7][8][5][9][10]
Material uses & Functions
[5]
Botanic
[12][4]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
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
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    6 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

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    "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.7 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    7. ? 7.007.017.027.037.047.057.067.077.087.097.107.117.12 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.6 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    12. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-58

    "image:Trichosanthes kirilowii.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Trichosanthes_kirilowii&oldid=81340"
    Facts about "Trichosanthes kirilowii"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCucurbitaceae +
    Belongs to genusTrichosanthes +
    Has common nameChinese Cucumber +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +, Leaves +, Unknown part + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Oil +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has imageTrichosanthes kirilowii.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useOil +
    Has mature height6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAbortifacient +, Antibiotic +, Anticholesterolemic +, Antifungal +, Antiinflammatory +, Antitussive +, Cancer +, Depurative +, Emollient +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge +, Galactogogue +, Laxative +, Oxytoxic +, Sialagogue +, Skin +, Uterine tonic + and Vulnerary +
    Has primary imageTrichosanthes kirilowii.jpg +
    Has search nametrichosanthes kirilowii + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameTrichosanthes kirilowii +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +