Ivy Gourd (Coccinia grandis)

Family: Cucurbitaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Coccinia grandis is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves and long slender stem tops - cooked and eaten as a potherb or added to soups. Young and tender green fruits - raw in salads or cooked and added to curries etc. Ripe scarlet fruit - raw. Fleshy and sweet. — Young leaves and long slender stem tops - cooked and eaten as a potherb or added to soups.; Young and tender green fruits - raw in salads or cooked and added to curries etc.; Ripe scarlet fruit - raw.; Fleshy and sweet.

Habitat & North American Range

Deciduous bush, savannah, dry evergreen forest and thickets. Moist neglected places, especially on hedges, to elevations of 1400 metres in Nepal. (Zone 8)