This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Trichosanthes ovigera
  • Japanese Snake Gourd

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

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
  • 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
Trichosanthes ovigera has 0 edible uses listed
Trichosanthes ovigera has 0 material uses listed
Trichosanthes ovigera has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

An edible starch is obtained from the root[1][2][3][4].

The immature fruit is preserves in miso or salt[4]. The mature fruit is about 7cm long[5]. A nutritional analysis is available[6].

We have no record of the seed being edible, though there is no reason to believe that it should not be[K]. Like the edible seeds of many members of this plant family, the seed is eaten in the Orient as a vermifuge[6]. The seed contains 33.8% protein and 56.3% fat[6].

Fruit

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The dried fruit is a soap substitute[2][3][7].

Unknown part

Soap

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Diuretic[7].

The seed is vermifuge[6]. The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, blood purifier, depurative, febrifuge and resolvent[8]. It is used as a poultice or made into a decoction to treat abscesses, boils, fevers, sore throats etc[8][6].

The fruit is used to treat coughs, diabetes, jaundice etc[6].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Antiphlogistic
Blood purifier
Diuretic
Febrifuge
Poultice
Vermifuge

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 ovigera. 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[9]. Plants are not hardy in Britain and normally require greenhouse cultivation[5], but it may be possible to grow them as a spring-sown annual in a very warm sheltered bed outdoors[9].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Trichosanthes ovigera. 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 ovigera.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Trichosanthes ovigera
Genus
Trichosanthes
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[7][6][8]
Material uses & Functions
[2][3][7]
Botanic
[10][5]
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
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
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    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. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    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. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1986-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    9. ? 9.09.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-58


    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Trichosanthes_ovigera&oldid=81343"
    Facts about "Trichosanthes ovigera"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCucurbitaceae +
    Belongs to genusTrichosanthes +
    Has binomial nameTrichosanthes ovigera +
    Has common nameJapanese Snake Gourd +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone10 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useSoap +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antiphlogistic +, Blood purifier +, Diuretic +, Febrifuge +, Poultice + and Vermifuge +
    Has search nametrichosanthes ovigera + and japanese snake gourd +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameTrichosanthes ovigera +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Trichosanthes ovigera +, Trichosanthes ovigera +, Trichosanthes ovigera +, Trichosanthes ovigera +, Trichosanthes ovigera +, Trichosanthes ovigera +, Trichosanthes ovigera +, Trichosanthes ovigera +, Trichosanthes ovigera + and Trichosanthes ovigera +