Smooth loofah, Vegetable sponge

Where does Smooth loofah grow?

Found in: Africa, Andamans, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marquesas, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are 6 Luffa species. Chemical composition (Chinese sample): Protein = 1.4%. Fat = 0.15%. Carbohydrate = 4.28%. Ash = 0.48%. Moderate quantities of Vitamins A, B1 and B2. Moderate amounts of Vitamin C. Seed oil (Zambian sample): oil = 16%. Component esters (wt%): 16:0 = 16%. 18:0 = 13%. 18:1 = 14%. 18:2 = 3%.

Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. In Papua New Guinea a minor vegetable seen in several coastal areas.

Growing Smooth loofah, Vegetable sponge

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed are collected from ripe fruit. Seed are sown 4-5 cm deep and plants are put 1 metre apart. They can be sown in seed boxes and transplanted when 15 cm high. It is best to have a trellis for the plant to climb on or be left to climb over trees. They are often pollinated by insects but can be hand pollinated in the early morning.

Edible Uses: The young fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are skinned and have the centre removed. They can also be sliced and dried for later use. They can be pickled or used in soups, stews and curries. The seeds yield an edible oil after extraction. The seeds are roasted with salt and eaten as a snack. The young leaves and flowers are edible. They are blanched by covering to make them white. CAUTION Older fruit are bitter and fibrous and contain poisonous substances.

Production: Fruit are harvested for sponges when fully mature. Young fruit are ready 2-3 months after planting while fruit mature 4-5 months after planting. For eating, young fruit are used. One plant can produce 20-25 fruit.

Nutrition Info

Smooth loofah, Vegetable sponge Photos

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