This vine originally from eastern Asia is cultivated in so many countries that it goes by numerous common names, including Chinese Okra, Angled Luffa, Dish Cloth Gourd, Ridged Gourd, Sponge Gourd, Vegetable Gourd, Strainer Vine, Ribbed Loofah, Silky Gourd, Ridged Gourd, and Towelsponge.
It's LUFFA ACUTANGULA.
You can guess from some of its common names that, like our earlier Luffa cylindrica in Río Lagartos, Chinese Okra's mature fruits contain fiber that when dried and cleaned can be used like a washrag. Among medicinal uses mentioned by the "Useful Tropical Plants" website is its fruits and seeds being employed against venereal diseases, extracts from its leaves serving against guinea worms, and its leaf sap being used against eczema, and as an eyewash to treat conjunctivitis.
Angled luffa is also called Chinese okra or ridged gourd. This excellent open pollinated variety is cultivated for the tenderness and sweet flavor of its fruit. The vigorous plant has a heavy fruit set of ridged, dark green, club-shaped fruits that are best harvested about 18” long and 2” in diameter.
Warm season annual
Maturity: Approx. 90 days
Type |
Gourds |
Family |
Gourd Family |
Temperature Soil |
65-70F |
Temperature Daytime |
50-90F |
Temperature Evening |
55+F |
Lighting |
Full, 6-8 Hours Per Day |
Water |
Steady: 6 Gallons / Day |
Maturity |
Long, 90-120 Days Harvest |
PH Neutral |
6.0-7.0 |
Zones |
3A-9B |
Plant Placement |
4 Plants, 2 Per Row |