Angled loofah

Where does Angled loofah grow?

Found in: Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central America, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, East Africa, East Timor, El Salvador, Fiji, Ghana, Guam, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, Yemen

Notes: There are 6 Luffa species. The seeds are 26% oil. It possibly has anti-cancer properties.

Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. In Papua New Guinea it is a vegetable of minor importance in some coastal areas.

Growing Angled loofah

Cultivation: Seeds are sown direct at 40 x 80 cm spacing and need stakes to climb. Because seeds can have a hard coating soaking seed in water for 24 hours before planting can assist. 5 kg of seed per hectare are required. The plant benefits from full sunlight. Good soil fertility is beneficial. The soil needs to be well drained and adequate organic matter helps. Pinching out the growing tips when plants are 1.5 to 2 metres long can promote fruit development. Hand pollination once female flowers develop helps fruit set. This is best done in the evening.

Edible Uses: The immature fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The ridges are removed with a vegetable peeler. The fruit are boiled, steamed or stir-fried. They can be added to soups, stews and curries. The fruit skin is made into chutney. The leaves are edible. They can be eaten in salads or cooked as a vegetable. The flower buds are dipped in batter and sauteed. Mature seeds are roasted, salted and eaten as a snack.

Production: Immature fruit are ready 6-10 weeks after planting. On maturity the fruit become bitter and inedible. Fruit do not store well so are harvested when they are to be used.

Nutrition Info

Angled loofah Photos

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