Luffa quinquefolia - Uses, Benefits & Common Names
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Cucurbitales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
quinquefolia
ID:
359496
Status:
valid
Authors:
Seem.
Source:
ksu
Year:
1856
Citation Micro:
Bot. Voy. Herald : 285 (1856)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000358828
Common Names
- Five-Leaf Luffa
- Five-Leaf Smooth Luffa
- Five-Leaf Vegetable Sponge
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Find Suppliers & Request SamplesDescription
Luffa quinquefolia (also called Chinese okra, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the cucumber family. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, from Africa to Southeast Asia, and is widely cultivated and naturalized in other regions. It grows in a variety of habitats, including disturbed areas, open woods, and along roadsides.
Uses & Benefits
Luffa quinquefolia is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a groundcover. It is also used to make sponges and scrubbers.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Luffa quinquefolia is yellow, with five petals and a yellow centre. The seed is a small, round, black seed. The seedlings are small, with a single seed leaf and a short, thin stem.
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Find Suppliers & Request SamplesCultivation and Propagation
Luffa quinquefolia is an annual plant that can be propagated by seed. The seeds should be sown in well-drained soil in a sunny location. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Thin the seedlings to a spacing of 10-15 cm when they are 5-7 cm tall. The plant will produce flowers in the summer and should be harvested before the seed pods form.
Where to Find Luffa quinquefolia
Luffa quinquefolia is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Luffa quinquefolia FAQ
What is the scientific name of Luffa quinquefolia?
Luffa quinquefolia
What type of plant is Luffa quinquefolia?
A perennial vine
Where is Luffa quinquefolia found?
It is found in Asia
Species in the Luffa genus
Species in the Cucurbitaceae family
Abobra tenuifolia, Acanthosicyos horridus, Actinostemma lobatum, Actinostemma parvifolium, Actinostemma tenerum, Alsomitra macrocarpa, Ampelosicyos humblotii, Ampelosicyos major, Ampelosicyos meridionalis, Ampelosicyos scandens, Ampelosicyos bosseri, Ampelosicyos leandrii, Ampelosycios meridionalis, Ampelosycios scandens, Apodanthera anatuyana, Apodanthera argentea, Apodanthera aspera, Apodanthera biflora, Apodanthera bradei, Apodanthera cinerea, Apodanthera eriocalyx, Apodanthera fasciculata, Apodanthera ferreyrana, Apodanthera glaziovii, Apodanthera hindii, Apodanthera hirtella, Apodanthera laciniosa, Apodanthera linearis, Apodanthera mandonii, Apodanthera mathewsii, Apodanthera palmeri, Apodanthera sagittifolia, Apodanthera smilacifolia, Apodanthera succulenta, Apodanthera tumbeziana, Apodanthera ulei, Apodanthera undulata, Apodanthera villosa, Apodanthera weberbaueri, Apodanthera longipedicellata, Austrobryonia argillicola, Austrobryonia centralis, Austrobryonia micrantha, Austrobryonia pilbarensis, Baijiania borneensis, Baijiania taiwaniana, Baijiania decipiens, Baijiania smitinandii, Bambekea racemosa, Bayabusua clarkei,
References
Berthold Carl Seemann (1825-1871): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Seem.' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:293104-1: Based on the initial data import