Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Cucurbitales
Genus:
Species:
sepium
ID:
359471

Status:
valid

Authors:
(G.Mey.) C.Jeffrey

Source:
cmp

Year:
1992

Citation Micro:
Kew Bull. 47: 742 (1992)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000358803



Common Names

  • Chinese Okra
  • Smooth Luffa
  • Vegetable Sponge


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Synonyms

  • Luffa purgans Mart. [unknown]
  • Momordica purgans Mart. [unknown]
  • Cucumis sepium G.Mey. [unknown]

Description

Luffa sepium (also called Chinese Okra, among many other common names) is an annual vine native to Asia. It grows up to 10 feet tall and has large, green leaves. It is found in moist, sandy soils in open woods and fields.

Uses & Benefits

Luffa sepium 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 sepium 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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Cultivation and Propagation

Luffa sepium 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 sepium

Luffa sepium is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Luffa sepium FAQ

What is the scientific name of Luffa sepium?

Luffa sepium

What type of plant is Luffa sepium?

A perennial vine

Where is Luffa sepium found?

It is found in Asia

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

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-2338789: Based on the initial data import
Charles Jeffrey (b.1934): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'C.Jeffrey' in the authors string.
Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Meyer (1782-1856): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'G.Mey.' in the authors string.