Luffa aegyptiaca   

Luffa aegyptiaca's description

Climbing herbs, tendrils 3-fi d. Leaves 5-7 lobed, 6-12×6-11 cm, orbicular or broadly ovate, base cordate, margin shallowly dentate, apex acuminate, upper surface glandular-punctate, lower surface scabrid; petiole to 4.5 cm long. Flowers monoecious, male and female on same axil. Male fl owers in recemes, clustered; peduncle to 9 cm; pedicel to 8 mm; calyx tube broadly companulate, lobes 5, 2-3×1-1.5 cm, lanceolate-acuminate; petals 5, yellow; stamens 5, free, inserted near mouth of calyx tube. Female fl owers solitary, co-axillary with male fl ower; ovary oblong. Fruits 10-22×6-8 cm, cylindric, fi brous within; seeds many, ca. 10 × 8 mm, ovoid, compressed, black.

Luffa aegyptiaca's facts

• Luffa fruit (Sponge Gourd) contains various antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, nutrients and lipids.
• It is an excellent source of Vitamin A and carbohydrates.
• It is also a very good source of Vitamin B5, Manganese, Potassium, Copper, Total dietary fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Magnesium.

Health Benefits of Sponge gourd

1. Prevents eye ailments
2. Cardiovascular benefits
3. Prevent diabetes
4. Prevents muscle pain
5. Reduce arthritis
6. Treat Anemia
7. Skin health
8. Migraine headaches
9. Brain function
10. Reduce the chances of type 2 diabetes

Luffa aegyptiaca's Behavior & Ecology

Luffa grows best in tropical and subtropical climates and thrives in well-drained soils.

Luffa aegyptiaca's Reproduction

Pollination by insects and bees.

Flower & Plant Sexuality : Unisexual Flowers (Monoecious)

Flowering Opening Time : Daytime

Luffa aegyptiaca's Relationship with Humans

The young fruit is eaten as a vegetable and is commonly grown for that purpose in Maldives. In some countries it is known use to make scrubbing bath sponges because of the fully ripened fruit is strongly fibrous and inedible. Due to the use as a scrubbing sponge, it is also known by the common names dishrag gourd, rag gourd, sponge gourd, and vegetable-sponge. It is also called smooth luffa to distinguish it from the ridged luffa (Luffa acutangula), which is used for the same purposes. An edible oil can be extracted from the seeds. The resulting oil meal can be fed to rabbits and catfish, or used as a fertilizer.